Vicar Peter M. Horn, Seminary Intern
Last class, we finished with Jesus praising his disciples. The kingdom of God is present wherever Jesus does his ministry and wherever others do ministry in his names as the 70 disciples just did. They have succeeded in fulfilling the mission that Jesus has sent them out to do. Just as Simeon was shown the messiah, to see the kingdom of God come to earth, before he was able to die, so to the disciples now see it and hear it! We enter our story at this high point in the relationship of Jesus and his disciples.
25-37 – The Parable of the Good Samaritan
“Just then:” There is no transition here; we are in the same conversation, the same gathering. Read in continuous form, we may think the lawyer is interrupting the reunion of Jesus and the 70 by asking this question about himself. The lawyer, however, is not interrupting. Jesus has been focusing on the ministry of doing. He sent out the 12 apostles and now the 70 disciples have returned. Let us not forget all the acts of healing and casting out of demons Jesus has already done either. This is all the ministry of doing. This is obvious to us in the verbs that are used. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Do this, and you will live.” “Go and do likewise.”
Next is the difference in the social status of the two in the conversation. First, we have the lawyer. Recall that legal experts have been present to monitor Jesus and that legal experts are among those identified as persons responsible for Jesus eventual suffering. Even more so, priests of the temple served as experts on the law when not performing duties. This bring more tension to this parable. Second, we have Jesus, who is referred to by the lawyer as “teacher.” This is a term of respect used while the lawyer is standing, showing esteem for Jesus.
The questions follow. Jesus is questioned about inheriting eternal life and he responds with a question. The answer the lawyer gives is in harmony with Jesus’ teachings. Perfectly said and simply stated, we now have a cornerstone to go on for our faith lives. However, interpreting the law and the scriptures is one thing, doing and internalizing is another. Jesus calls us to action!
The lawyer then seeks clarification. For Israelites, the neighbor was defined as all those who believed in and embraced the covenant of the God of Abraham and David. Jesus expands this notion by bringing in a foreigner to be the helper rather than an Israelite helping presumably one of their own. This pushed the thought of loving the neighbor from more than just proximity and blood relation. We now see the question, how far should love reach?
The parable then commences. This man going from Jerusalem to Jericho has no name or no identifying features. This leads us to see the man, quite simply, as a fellow human being in need.
Danger in the areas outside of town was more frequent in these times. No identifying marks for the robbers either. They only beat the man and left. Like the man who our story is about, the robbers could be anyone.
Who will help this man? What is going to happen to him? We get our answer quickly. A priest and Levite appear but they do the same thing: came à saw à passed by on the other side. We see these two, sometimes, with some resentment. Why didn’t they help, they should know better! But this is more about class than it is about blame. The priest and Levite, being of leadership levels in the temple, would be obligated to bury a neglected corpse, if the man were to die, and the issue of clean and unclean would have come to their minds. They are accustomed to being evaluated by their bloodline, not their actions. This is what Jesus is getting to.
The third time is the charm. Here comes…a Samaritan?!? We can only guess at the emotions of the crowd as Jesus is saying this, that an unclean, gentile is going to help this man. Also, this Samaritan is a traveling merchant and his actions are different from the other two: came à saw à was moved with compassion à went to the wounded man + cared for him. Notice how many more steps were taken. Action is not simple but in depth, expensive, and time consuming.
The Samaritan’s emotions are not foreign to us in Luke. This shows us an example of God’s covenant faithfulness from 1:78 and of Jesus in the face of a widow’s loss of her only son in 7:13. We are shown how to love and care for another in need. Not only that but how far we are to go in helping, just as the Samaritan did entering into a monetary agreement with the inn keeper for an unknown amount of money.
Our story ends with another redirected question. Jesus asks whom the lawyer thinks is the neighbor in the story. Again, he answers correctly, “the one who showed him mercy.” We see the parallel in the exchange in verses 25-28 and 29-37. Jesus is telling us the same story twice. If we don’t get it the first time, then the second will do. As we all know, we are to be as the Samaritan, going and doing likewise.
38-42 Jesus Visits Martha and Mary
How many of us have heard this passage as a “who is better” depiction? Is action better than listening? Jesus redirects our thoughts on this to hospitality. Even the opening sentence says it all. Martha welcomed Jesus in to her home. Welcome is what the apostles and the disciples were seeking when they went out on their missions. Welcome is where our ministry starts.
The verses then turn towards the importance of hearing the word of God. The lawyer heard in our last passage but action was only encouraged, we don’t know what came next for him. The Samaritan had done mercy towards the injured man. He heard AND acted. Mary is on the right start. She is sitting, submitting to Jesus and hearing him speak. Martha is busy working and serving. So why do we criticize Martha and not Mary? Jesus is looking for a different kind of service than what Martha is providing. He desires for us to be like the Samaritan, hearing the word and acting accordingly. We can work the day away but Jesus wants our concern to be the word of God and to enter into relationship with Jesus.
What kind of hospitality is Jesus looking for then? “The nature of hospitality for which Jesus seeks is realized in attending to one’s guest, yet Martha’s speech is centered on “me” –talk. Though he refers to Jesus as “Lord,” she is concerned to engage his assistance in her plans, not to learn from him his.” Joel B. Green
What do we take form Jesus’ last few lines? What is the one thing that Mary is doing? This could be many things. She is focusing on Jesus and his word. She is focused on the coming kingdom of God as Jesus has preached about and could be here. She is focused on the hospitality of welcome and of hearing the word of God. In one of the commentaries, the title for this section is not “Jesus Visits Martha and Mary” but is “How to Welcome Jesus.”
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 11
Vicar Peter M. Horn, Seminary Intern
At the end of chapter 10, we are left with an ambiguous comment from Jesus to Martha. He says, “there is need of only one thing.” We are left wondering what this one thing is...is it listening or serving by being attentive or thinking of others or welcoming or hospitality? The story tells us of hospitality and how to welcome in the stranger but next we will see that prayer could also be added to this list.
1-4 – The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus is a person of prayer. He seems to always be doing it. On this occasion, we have Jesus prayer in a certain place. This could have been a location where Jesus went frequently to prayer and to collect himself for the deeds he did. We see this habit of praying coming through of Jesus wanting to have time for him to talk with God and to recuperate. The disciples in this scene are attentive. They are shown as learners who often asked for aid and direction from their Lord. The prayer that Jesus gives them is a distinct one from Jesus to the followers and for the followers.
The term “Father” in reference to God was rarely used in this period. For Luke, Father is linked back to 10:22 where we see that “no one knows…who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” In this prayer, Jesus is showing us the Father and how to praise the Father. This is followed by how we respect this name. Father is not just another title for God but communicates the true essence of God, just as our names communicate who we are. We honor God’s name above all.
The prayer continues with declaring “Your kingdom come.” We join Simeon and Ann from earlier in Luke in their praises and waiting for the divine coming of the Messiah. We also know, at the same time, that Jesus is actively bringing the kingdom through our lives in service, conversation, and fellowship. God’s new order is being established by God through our lives and the community of believers.
The focus then turns to us. The disciples of the time relied heavily on God for the daily food. What would that feel like for us? Forgiving sins is linked with a condition of reminding us to forgive others while our sins are forgiven (as God always forgives sins). This points us back to the year of jubilee when all wealth would be returned to balance. God desires that balance in our lives and with one another. Lastly, we hear about testing. We are asking God to be excused from further testing and to see our own need for divine care.
5-13 – Perseverance in Prayer
In this section, Jesus does not put an end to the question by the disciples. Instead, Jesus talks about how our prayers move out of just talking and into action, as we are Christ to the world. Praying is not just the words we used but also the perseverance we display after the ritual of closing our eyes and folding our hands.
“Can you imagine…?” Jesus continues his instruction on prayer with a parable that begins with a statement with an obvious answer. Of course, my friend will help me out in my time of need in showing hospitality!
Jesus now transfers the story back into the present day. Of course, we help one another. If one is in need then we are to show hospitality and be shown hospitality. Jesus breaks it down even further with the conversation about the child. Would you hurt and innocent child by not giving them what they asked for? God’s Fatherly goodness exceeds that of human fathers as God gives us what we need always and without question. God gives us the Holy Spirit; there is no greater gift!
JESUS’ BEHAVIOR QUESTIONED (11:14-54)
14-23 – Jesus and Beelzebul
For the first time in our timeline, Jesus’ crowds are bringing skepticism. All previous times before this casting out of demons, the people left in amazement…now they are questioning the source of his power. Jesus will take each point from the crowd in turn.
Jesus counters their grievance that his work is that of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons. Saying this would imply that Jesus is an agent of Satan and could have been a way to bring some social control over Jesus and his ministry. Jesus refocuses the argument from just on Beelzebul and places it on the struggle between the dominion of God and the dominion of Satan. Jesus continues in this section to disprove each point, saying that Satan’s house divided cannot stand. This is paraphrased in the Gettysburg Address.
Jesus deals another blow to the crowd in verse 19. Why are you questioning me when others are casting out demons and have been casting out demons for years? Jesus points to the power of other exorcists coming from God and not from Satan.
We hear about “the finger of God.” This denotes the active power of God working in the world, in this case, through Jesus. This is also seen in Exodus (8:19), where God is said to be working behind the plagues against the Egyptians. This shows us the advancing of the kingdom spoken about in the Lord’s Prayer.
The last verses show us another slap at the Roman Empire. Rome’s power came from being stronger than everyone else. So what would happen if a yet stronger force came in…say the kingdom of God and the reign of God? Jesus is stronger still than any other human because he has the power of God and uses it to bring about the kingdom.
(23) 24-26 – The Return of the Unclean Spirit
Jesus continues his discussion of the kingdom and the domain of God. We are shown that Jesus’ ministry is the focus point of the salvation project of God and Satan’s conflict. Jesus is the center of how we are to choose sides for this conflict.
We find out a large amount about unclean spirits in these verses. First, they can dwell without a host. Second, they live in the desert areas (waterless regions). Third, they prefer to live in humans and have a sense of what used to be. Lastly, more than one can dwell in a human. This is hard to reconcile as the gospel for us. When the spirit returns to the “house,” it finds the place clean and in order. Our lives are changed with the in bringing of Jesus and the kingdom of God whereas the evil spirits lead to destruction. This shows us the importance of the ministry of Jesus in our lives and responding in faithfulness.
27-28 – The Blessedness of Obedience
Luke continues his attack on the Israelite definition of status. The woman blesses the way Jesus was raised and the person who bore him. Jesus corrects her and speaks of obedience. The woman is specific but Jesus has the big picture in order. Again, we are told to hear and obey; to live lives of faith following the command of Jesus. Doesn’t this sound like all of the faithful people we have heard of in our study of Luke? Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna, Joseph, John, and even Mary are all who have heard and obeyed. Yes, Mary is blessed…just as we are blessed.
29-32 – The Sign of Jonah
This section is in reference to verse 16 when people were asking Jesus for a sign from heaven. This was all done in the guise of testing. Other places where signs are asked for or testing of God is done is by Zechariah in 1:18 and by the devil in 4:1-13. By casting out demons, wouldn’t we have our sign already? Jesus takes this questioning very seriously, just as God did with Zechariah by striking him blind.
Jesus relates this request for a sign to the “sign of Jonah.” Jonah came to urge the people of Nineveh to repent before judgment came, just as Jesus now does. Jesus is also our rescue from condemnation just as Jonah with his divine rescue from the whale.
Both the queen of the South (Sheba) and the people of Nineveh were blessed with the message of repentance and obedience to the will of God for them. The Queen of Sheba tested Solomon and found him worthy of being an ally and follower of the way of God. The people of Nineveh also turned from their ways and followed the call of Jonah. God’s favor was extended to both of the parties and so will their partaking in the resurrection and the judgment. For they have turned to God just as those who hear and obey do!
33-36 – The Light of the Body
“Your eye is the lamp of your body.” This was a Greco-Roman way of addressing the eyes. Sight was gained not by the eye gathering light to see but the eye giving the light of the body. If our eyes are healthy then this is proof of inner light. If our eyes are unhealthy then this is proof of inner darkness. Inner light is those things that are contagious to others, such as kindness and sincerity. Inner darkness is those things that are contagious to us, such as selfishness, greed, and upheaval.
Light and darkness is present throughout the gospel of Luke. This starts with the song of Zechariah, “…to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death…” The power of darkness is seen as Satan’s power, whereas the power of God is the power of light. Again, we see the struggle between God and Satan over the people of God headed for the ultimate salvation in Jesus.
37-54 – Jesus Responds to the Pharisees and Teachers
Eating a meal with Jesus is dangerous. This is the second meal in Luke where you could say Jesus insults the host and those gathered. First, in chapter 7, was the forgiving of a woman and the discussion of how a large debt when forgiven is greater than a small debt forgiven. Jesus again crosses the social boundary of eating a meal at the house of a Pharisee. Jesus is the one who provokes the conversation…he does not wash before supper! Having just heard the discussion on the light of the body and where that light comes from, Jesus continues it by urging these people to be clean and to let light enter into their bodies and lives.
Jesus sees the piety of the Pharisees as a hindrance to the mission he is preaching, the search for justice and the love of God. This line about “neglecting the others” points us back to the Parable of the Compassionate Samaritan. Just as the Samaritan showed mercy and compassion, go and do likewise. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for being wrapped up in their Old Testament laws and being faithful to the law for their own benefit. Public recognition and honor is not our goal but instead to further the love God has for us to others by shining the light God has given us on others.
All of these woes point towards what the Pharisees and experts of the law are doing in their lives to prevent them from being good and faithful followers of Jesus. Their orientation towards God given to them through the Old Testament scriptures is now being turned over by Jesus and his will for our lives. Jesus is going against the grain of their authority; it is a small wonder they begin to actively try to catch Jesus for something they can warrant getting rid of him by. The Pharisees now move from just watching Jesus to the beginning of the plot to kill him.
At the end of chapter 10, we are left with an ambiguous comment from Jesus to Martha. He says, “there is need of only one thing.” We are left wondering what this one thing is...is it listening or serving by being attentive or thinking of others or welcoming or hospitality? The story tells us of hospitality and how to welcome in the stranger but next we will see that prayer could also be added to this list.
1-4 – The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus is a person of prayer. He seems to always be doing it. On this occasion, we have Jesus prayer in a certain place. This could have been a location where Jesus went frequently to prayer and to collect himself for the deeds he did. We see this habit of praying coming through of Jesus wanting to have time for him to talk with God and to recuperate. The disciples in this scene are attentive. They are shown as learners who often asked for aid and direction from their Lord. The prayer that Jesus gives them is a distinct one from Jesus to the followers and for the followers.
The term “Father” in reference to God was rarely used in this period. For Luke, Father is linked back to 10:22 where we see that “no one knows…who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” In this prayer, Jesus is showing us the Father and how to praise the Father. This is followed by how we respect this name. Father is not just another title for God but communicates the true essence of God, just as our names communicate who we are. We honor God’s name above all.
The prayer continues with declaring “Your kingdom come.” We join Simeon and Ann from earlier in Luke in their praises and waiting for the divine coming of the Messiah. We also know, at the same time, that Jesus is actively bringing the kingdom through our lives in service, conversation, and fellowship. God’s new order is being established by God through our lives and the community of believers.
The focus then turns to us. The disciples of the time relied heavily on God for the daily food. What would that feel like for us? Forgiving sins is linked with a condition of reminding us to forgive others while our sins are forgiven (as God always forgives sins). This points us back to the year of jubilee when all wealth would be returned to balance. God desires that balance in our lives and with one another. Lastly, we hear about testing. We are asking God to be excused from further testing and to see our own need for divine care.
5-13 – Perseverance in Prayer
In this section, Jesus does not put an end to the question by the disciples. Instead, Jesus talks about how our prayers move out of just talking and into action, as we are Christ to the world. Praying is not just the words we used but also the perseverance we display after the ritual of closing our eyes and folding our hands.
“Can you imagine…?” Jesus continues his instruction on prayer with a parable that begins with a statement with an obvious answer. Of course, my friend will help me out in my time of need in showing hospitality!
Jesus now transfers the story back into the present day. Of course, we help one another. If one is in need then we are to show hospitality and be shown hospitality. Jesus breaks it down even further with the conversation about the child. Would you hurt and innocent child by not giving them what they asked for? God’s Fatherly goodness exceeds that of human fathers as God gives us what we need always and without question. God gives us the Holy Spirit; there is no greater gift!
JESUS’ BEHAVIOR QUESTIONED (11:14-54)
14-23 – Jesus and Beelzebul
For the first time in our timeline, Jesus’ crowds are bringing skepticism. All previous times before this casting out of demons, the people left in amazement…now they are questioning the source of his power. Jesus will take each point from the crowd in turn.
Jesus counters their grievance that his work is that of Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons. Saying this would imply that Jesus is an agent of Satan and could have been a way to bring some social control over Jesus and his ministry. Jesus refocuses the argument from just on Beelzebul and places it on the struggle between the dominion of God and the dominion of Satan. Jesus continues in this section to disprove each point, saying that Satan’s house divided cannot stand. This is paraphrased in the Gettysburg Address.
Jesus deals another blow to the crowd in verse 19. Why are you questioning me when others are casting out demons and have been casting out demons for years? Jesus points to the power of other exorcists coming from God and not from Satan.
We hear about “the finger of God.” This denotes the active power of God working in the world, in this case, through Jesus. This is also seen in Exodus (8:19), where God is said to be working behind the plagues against the Egyptians. This shows us the advancing of the kingdom spoken about in the Lord’s Prayer.
The last verses show us another slap at the Roman Empire. Rome’s power came from being stronger than everyone else. So what would happen if a yet stronger force came in…say the kingdom of God and the reign of God? Jesus is stronger still than any other human because he has the power of God and uses it to bring about the kingdom.
(23) 24-26 – The Return of the Unclean Spirit
Jesus continues his discussion of the kingdom and the domain of God. We are shown that Jesus’ ministry is the focus point of the salvation project of God and Satan’s conflict. Jesus is the center of how we are to choose sides for this conflict.
We find out a large amount about unclean spirits in these verses. First, they can dwell without a host. Second, they live in the desert areas (waterless regions). Third, they prefer to live in humans and have a sense of what used to be. Lastly, more than one can dwell in a human. This is hard to reconcile as the gospel for us. When the spirit returns to the “house,” it finds the place clean and in order. Our lives are changed with the in bringing of Jesus and the kingdom of God whereas the evil spirits lead to destruction. This shows us the importance of the ministry of Jesus in our lives and responding in faithfulness.
27-28 – The Blessedness of Obedience
Luke continues his attack on the Israelite definition of status. The woman blesses the way Jesus was raised and the person who bore him. Jesus corrects her and speaks of obedience. The woman is specific but Jesus has the big picture in order. Again, we are told to hear and obey; to live lives of faith following the command of Jesus. Doesn’t this sound like all of the faithful people we have heard of in our study of Luke? Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna, Joseph, John, and even Mary are all who have heard and obeyed. Yes, Mary is blessed…just as we are blessed.
29-32 – The Sign of Jonah
This section is in reference to verse 16 when people were asking Jesus for a sign from heaven. This was all done in the guise of testing. Other places where signs are asked for or testing of God is done is by Zechariah in 1:18 and by the devil in 4:1-13. By casting out demons, wouldn’t we have our sign already? Jesus takes this questioning very seriously, just as God did with Zechariah by striking him blind.
Jesus relates this request for a sign to the “sign of Jonah.” Jonah came to urge the people of Nineveh to repent before judgment came, just as Jesus now does. Jesus is also our rescue from condemnation just as Jonah with his divine rescue from the whale.
Both the queen of the South (Sheba) and the people of Nineveh were blessed with the message of repentance and obedience to the will of God for them. The Queen of Sheba tested Solomon and found him worthy of being an ally and follower of the way of God. The people of Nineveh also turned from their ways and followed the call of Jonah. God’s favor was extended to both of the parties and so will their partaking in the resurrection and the judgment. For they have turned to God just as those who hear and obey do!
33-36 – The Light of the Body
“Your eye is the lamp of your body.” This was a Greco-Roman way of addressing the eyes. Sight was gained not by the eye gathering light to see but the eye giving the light of the body. If our eyes are healthy then this is proof of inner light. If our eyes are unhealthy then this is proof of inner darkness. Inner light is those things that are contagious to others, such as kindness and sincerity. Inner darkness is those things that are contagious to us, such as selfishness, greed, and upheaval.
Light and darkness is present throughout the gospel of Luke. This starts with the song of Zechariah, “…to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death…” The power of darkness is seen as Satan’s power, whereas the power of God is the power of light. Again, we see the struggle between God and Satan over the people of God headed for the ultimate salvation in Jesus.
37-54 – Jesus Responds to the Pharisees and Teachers
Eating a meal with Jesus is dangerous. This is the second meal in Luke where you could say Jesus insults the host and those gathered. First, in chapter 7, was the forgiving of a woman and the discussion of how a large debt when forgiven is greater than a small debt forgiven. Jesus again crosses the social boundary of eating a meal at the house of a Pharisee. Jesus is the one who provokes the conversation…he does not wash before supper! Having just heard the discussion on the light of the body and where that light comes from, Jesus continues it by urging these people to be clean and to let light enter into their bodies and lives.
Jesus sees the piety of the Pharisees as a hindrance to the mission he is preaching, the search for justice and the love of God. This line about “neglecting the others” points us back to the Parable of the Compassionate Samaritan. Just as the Samaritan showed mercy and compassion, go and do likewise. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for being wrapped up in their Old Testament laws and being faithful to the law for their own benefit. Public recognition and honor is not our goal but instead to further the love God has for us to others by shining the light God has given us on others.
All of these woes point towards what the Pharisees and experts of the law are doing in their lives to prevent them from being good and faithful followers of Jesus. Their orientation towards God given to them through the Old Testament scriptures is now being turned over by Jesus and his will for our lives. Jesus is going against the grain of their authority; it is a small wonder they begin to actively try to catch Jesus for something they can warrant getting rid of him by. The Pharisees now move from just watching Jesus to the beginning of the plot to kill him.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 10 (part 1)
Chapter 9 began with Jesus sending out the 12 Apostle’s, and they did so-so. They preached and taught about the Kingdom of God. They healed many people. They however didn’t mention casting out demons, and we heard that they couldn’t cast one out while Jesus was on the mountain in the presence of Moses & Elijah. Now Jesus begins this chapter by expanding on those he sends out into ministry. Jesus’ ministry continues to expand and get bigger and spreads out with a wider net. This will explode after the Resurrection as the Church is given the Holy Spirit and send out to the ends of the earth!!
70 or 72 - Ancient manuscripts are evenly split. The number probably comes from Genesis 10 where there is a listing of the nations on earth. In the Hebrew the listing is 70, in the Septuagint (Greek OT) this listing is 72. This number obviously represents the Gospel being sent out to the entire world. Moses also called 70 elders to help him judge over Israel
1-11 – Mission of the 70 (or 72)
70 or 72 - Ancient manuscripts are evenly split. The number probably comes from Genesis 10 where there is a listing of the nations on earth. In the Hebrew the listing is 70, in the Septuagint (Greek OT) this listing is 72. This number obviously represents the Gospel being sent out to the entire world. Moses also called 70 elders to help him judge over Israel
Jesus commissioning of these 70 (72) is very similar to his commissioning of the 12 he sent our earlier. This time we have a fuller picture of some of the things he tells them to do and be. Again Jesus sends this group out in pairs (the reason why the Mormon’s send their missionaries out in pairs). It is probably not good to be alone in ministry. When we are alone (as Jesus was in the wilderness) Satan’s temptations can overwhelm us very easily. Also, in this day and age it was needed to have two witnesses for someone’s testimony to be credible, therefore two people saying the same thing about Jesus and God’s kingdom was more credible to the people of that day. Luke has shown us other groups of two also. Think back what other pairs are there? He sends these disciples to the towns he is going to go to. They are the preparation. They are the scouts to see which towns will accept Jesus and his message and which will reject. Here we have the beginning of an expansion of ministry. Some lay the groundwork, others (Jesus) follow behind and harvest and expand on what was laid down before. These disciples receive similar instructions to that of the 12 before. This group very possibly is the whole group of disciples that is following Jesus around. If so, then this group includes women as well.
The commentary before the instructions let us know that there are a lot of people out there who will hear, and be ‘GOOD SOIL’ for the message of the kingdom of God. The harvest is plentiful. Jesus (God) needs laborers (people who will work hard!!) to go out and gather in the harvest!! However, his next words speak of the difficulty of harvesting. It is dangerous, they are going out without any protection, and Jesus is deliberately not giving them any protection. Jesus himself is sent out like a lamb into the midst of wolves, and what will be his fate?? If we are willing to follow what is likely going to be our fate?? Wolves eat lambs!!!
It is following these two statements here that Jesus then gives them instructions. Not allowed to carry anything that you will depend on (no bag, purse, sandals). Greet NO ONE? Why not? This could speak to the urgency of their needing to get to the various towns that they are sent to, and greeting individual people along the road will sidetrack them from their greater purpose of preparing the towns for Jesus.
Jesus expands on how his disciples are supposed to receive the hospitality of those who welcome them. They are to say, “Peace to this house!” Words do have meanings, and carry great weight and actually do what we say!! For there to be peace between people peace must be extended and accepted. If it is the peace rests among the people. If it is not accepted it is interesting that the “peace” the disciples extended (realize here it is an actual thing extended like a hand, or an offering) will return to them. They won’t lose anything by extending peace to others!! They best possibility is that Peace will reign in the relationships. Worst case scenario is that their peace will return to them, and they will be no better off than before.
The disciples are to stay where they are welcomed, eating what is given, cure those who are sick, and proclaim to all that the “Kingdom of God has come near!” It is interesting to note that the message is the same whether the people accept them or reject them. It is just a matter of where they are making the proclamation; from within homes with peace surrounding their relationships, or outside in the streets where their peace has returned to the disciples. The message remains, “The Kingdom of God has come near!”
12-16 – What happens when we are not accepting of Peace??
Finally, a word to the disciples about those who reject this word, that Sodom will be treated better than those who reject them. This is powerful because we all know how Sodom was treated! These woes that follow against specific town further underscore that the in and through these disciples Jesus has given the full authority and power of God. That in coming into contact with these disciples the towns are coming into contact with the PRESENCE OF GOD in their midst, and when the disciples are rejected, Jesus (God) is rejected!! This obviously is a negative spin to the presence of God in their midst, but do we even realize the positive elements to actually having the presence of God in our midst? Do we realize the presence of God, or do we just figure God is far off and doesn’t pay any attention to us? It is very powerful to realize that Jesus has given us this same power and authority (not to bring down fire and brimstone like the disciples wanted to do earlier) to bring the Kingdom of God into people’s lives by our very presence together.
Pastors wear collars to signify our office in the church, and this collar shows the world who we are, and that we represent the Church (the Kingdom of God). When I am wearing the collar, even when I am alone, the church stands with me, I am not just Jeff, but I am a part of the Church of Christ, and speak for the Church. In representing the church Jesus says here that we bring the kingdom of God into people’s lives. This isn’t something just Pastor’s do, but all disciples are called to do in different ways. We, each, are called into different arenas to bring the kingdom of God into people’s lives by our presence.
Ten (?) Principles are Laid out in this Commission (Culpepper, p. 222)
1) The World needs us (laborers), the “harvest is plentiful!”
2) Prayer is key to getting laborers – “ask the Lord of the harvest…”
3) Disciples are called to “go” – be active in reaching out to others
4) There will be dangers
5) Have a focus about what you are doing, don’t be sidetracked
6) Create an atmosphere of PEACE, and no matter what proclaim “the kingdom of God has come near!!”
7) Pay attention to where you are placed, and to whom you are sent and be nice to them accepting everything provided with a gracious heart (which shows God’s acceptance of them!!)!!
8) Success is not measured always by acceptance, some will reject.
9) Persevere anyway, but do not bang your head against a brick wall, move on!!
10) The message remains the same and proclaim it to all, “the kingdom of God has come near!!”
17-24 – The Return & Celebration
The first thing that these disciples say that showed they were bringing the kingdom of God into people’s lives this time was that even the demons were submitting to them. They couldn’t do this before! Now they are trusting in God to work through them, and they are witnessing results, and they are filled with JOY!! Jesus responds with what can happen when we ourselves submit to God’s work in our lives, “Satan falls like a flash of lightening!!!” As we are obedient in being Jesus’ disciples the tide turns on Satan, his power languishes, and Satan’s authority is undercut, demons are cast out, and God (Jesus) rejoices!!
Despite the dangers nothing will hurt Jesus’ disciples, but Jesus cautions the disciples, that while they certainly may rejoice in all that have taken place, not to place their emphasis on the results of the power, rejoice rather that they have followed obediently and well!! Jesus cautions us about rejoicing when evil falls, and placing our rejoicing here. It seems as though Jesus isn’t rejoicing about vanquishing an opponent (he may actually be saddened that this opponent will not be turned toward God), but rather Jesus rejoices when the disciples, and when we are obediently following God in our lives. The woes to the towns also show the disciples that God will take care of judgment, that isn’t our place (like John wanted to bring down fire upon a town) it is reserved for God, and God alone!!
We have a wonderful Holy Trinity moment at v21-22, where Jesus rejoicing by the Holy Spirit speaks to the Father!! This is a relationship were true peace, true unity, true love reigns!! We hear again about this reversal of earthly ways; hiding things from the wise and intelligent, and revealing to infants. This may very well be the difference Jesus sees from his sending out the 12, and this sending out the 70. The 70 seem to have been more obedient than the 12 Jesus has been training up!! We hear Jesus proclaiming God’s will is being done by these disciples, and the kingdom of God is being revealed, through those Jesus has given the ability to “see.” Revelation of God comes through Jesus Christ. Jesus lifts the blinders from our eyes!
Finally Jesus gives a blessing and this blessing not only is a blessing on the disciples, but also a word of reminder for them to realize what a blessing has been bestowed on them. Many of the great prophets and kings that have come before truly desired to see these things, so marvel at what you are hearing and seeing because it doesn’t come to all people. Do we truly take the time to marvel when we see God at work in the world and in our lives? Do we take the time to see God at work? God is most definitely at work in and through us making his Kingdom known, maybe we need to pay attention more, and marvel more!!!
70 or 72 - Ancient manuscripts are evenly split. The number probably comes from Genesis 10 where there is a listing of the nations on earth. In the Hebrew the listing is 70, in the Septuagint (Greek OT) this listing is 72. This number obviously represents the Gospel being sent out to the entire world. Moses also called 70 elders to help him judge over Israel
1-11 – Mission of the 70 (or 72)
70 or 72 - Ancient manuscripts are evenly split. The number probably comes from Genesis 10 where there is a listing of the nations on earth. In the Hebrew the listing is 70, in the Septuagint (Greek OT) this listing is 72. This number obviously represents the Gospel being sent out to the entire world. Moses also called 70 elders to help him judge over Israel
Jesus commissioning of these 70 (72) is very similar to his commissioning of the 12 he sent our earlier. This time we have a fuller picture of some of the things he tells them to do and be. Again Jesus sends this group out in pairs (the reason why the Mormon’s send their missionaries out in pairs). It is probably not good to be alone in ministry. When we are alone (as Jesus was in the wilderness) Satan’s temptations can overwhelm us very easily. Also, in this day and age it was needed to have two witnesses for someone’s testimony to be credible, therefore two people saying the same thing about Jesus and God’s kingdom was more credible to the people of that day. Luke has shown us other groups of two also. Think back what other pairs are there? He sends these disciples to the towns he is going to go to. They are the preparation. They are the scouts to see which towns will accept Jesus and his message and which will reject. Here we have the beginning of an expansion of ministry. Some lay the groundwork, others (Jesus) follow behind and harvest and expand on what was laid down before. These disciples receive similar instructions to that of the 12 before. This group very possibly is the whole group of disciples that is following Jesus around. If so, then this group includes women as well.
The commentary before the instructions let us know that there are a lot of people out there who will hear, and be ‘GOOD SOIL’ for the message of the kingdom of God. The harvest is plentiful. Jesus (God) needs laborers (people who will work hard!!) to go out and gather in the harvest!! However, his next words speak of the difficulty of harvesting. It is dangerous, they are going out without any protection, and Jesus is deliberately not giving them any protection. Jesus himself is sent out like a lamb into the midst of wolves, and what will be his fate?? If we are willing to follow what is likely going to be our fate?? Wolves eat lambs!!!
It is following these two statements here that Jesus then gives them instructions. Not allowed to carry anything that you will depend on (no bag, purse, sandals). Greet NO ONE? Why not? This could speak to the urgency of their needing to get to the various towns that they are sent to, and greeting individual people along the road will sidetrack them from their greater purpose of preparing the towns for Jesus.
Jesus expands on how his disciples are supposed to receive the hospitality of those who welcome them. They are to say, “Peace to this house!” Words do have meanings, and carry great weight and actually do what we say!! For there to be peace between people peace must be extended and accepted. If it is the peace rests among the people. If it is not accepted it is interesting that the “peace” the disciples extended (realize here it is an actual thing extended like a hand, or an offering) will return to them. They won’t lose anything by extending peace to others!! They best possibility is that Peace will reign in the relationships. Worst case scenario is that their peace will return to them, and they will be no better off than before.
The disciples are to stay where they are welcomed, eating what is given, cure those who are sick, and proclaim to all that the “Kingdom of God has come near!” It is interesting to note that the message is the same whether the people accept them or reject them. It is just a matter of where they are making the proclamation; from within homes with peace surrounding their relationships, or outside in the streets where their peace has returned to the disciples. The message remains, “The Kingdom of God has come near!”
12-16 – What happens when we are not accepting of Peace??
Finally, a word to the disciples about those who reject this word, that Sodom will be treated better than those who reject them. This is powerful because we all know how Sodom was treated! These woes that follow against specific town further underscore that the in and through these disciples Jesus has given the full authority and power of God. That in coming into contact with these disciples the towns are coming into contact with the PRESENCE OF GOD in their midst, and when the disciples are rejected, Jesus (God) is rejected!! This obviously is a negative spin to the presence of God in their midst, but do we even realize the positive elements to actually having the presence of God in our midst? Do we realize the presence of God, or do we just figure God is far off and doesn’t pay any attention to us? It is very powerful to realize that Jesus has given us this same power and authority (not to bring down fire and brimstone like the disciples wanted to do earlier) to bring the Kingdom of God into people’s lives by our very presence together.
Pastors wear collars to signify our office in the church, and this collar shows the world who we are, and that we represent the Church (the Kingdom of God). When I am wearing the collar, even when I am alone, the church stands with me, I am not just Jeff, but I am a part of the Church of Christ, and speak for the Church. In representing the church Jesus says here that we bring the kingdom of God into people’s lives. This isn’t something just Pastor’s do, but all disciples are called to do in different ways. We, each, are called into different arenas to bring the kingdom of God into people’s lives by our presence.
Ten (?) Principles are Laid out in this Commission (Culpepper, p. 222)
1) The World needs us (laborers), the “harvest is plentiful!”
2) Prayer is key to getting laborers – “ask the Lord of the harvest…”
3) Disciples are called to “go” – be active in reaching out to others
4) There will be dangers
5) Have a focus about what you are doing, don’t be sidetracked
6) Create an atmosphere of PEACE, and no matter what proclaim “the kingdom of God has come near!!”
7) Pay attention to where you are placed, and to whom you are sent and be nice to them accepting everything provided with a gracious heart (which shows God’s acceptance of them!!)!!
8) Success is not measured always by acceptance, some will reject.
9) Persevere anyway, but do not bang your head against a brick wall, move on!!
10) The message remains the same and proclaim it to all, “the kingdom of God has come near!!”
17-24 – The Return & Celebration
The first thing that these disciples say that showed they were bringing the kingdom of God into people’s lives this time was that even the demons were submitting to them. They couldn’t do this before! Now they are trusting in God to work through them, and they are witnessing results, and they are filled with JOY!! Jesus responds with what can happen when we ourselves submit to God’s work in our lives, “Satan falls like a flash of lightening!!!” As we are obedient in being Jesus’ disciples the tide turns on Satan, his power languishes, and Satan’s authority is undercut, demons are cast out, and God (Jesus) rejoices!!
Despite the dangers nothing will hurt Jesus’ disciples, but Jesus cautions the disciples, that while they certainly may rejoice in all that have taken place, not to place their emphasis on the results of the power, rejoice rather that they have followed obediently and well!! Jesus cautions us about rejoicing when evil falls, and placing our rejoicing here. It seems as though Jesus isn’t rejoicing about vanquishing an opponent (he may actually be saddened that this opponent will not be turned toward God), but rather Jesus rejoices when the disciples, and when we are obediently following God in our lives. The woes to the towns also show the disciples that God will take care of judgment, that isn’t our place (like John wanted to bring down fire upon a town) it is reserved for God, and God alone!!
We have a wonderful Holy Trinity moment at v21-22, where Jesus rejoicing by the Holy Spirit speaks to the Father!! This is a relationship were true peace, true unity, true love reigns!! We hear again about this reversal of earthly ways; hiding things from the wise and intelligent, and revealing to infants. This may very well be the difference Jesus sees from his sending out the 12, and this sending out the 70. The 70 seem to have been more obedient than the 12 Jesus has been training up!! We hear Jesus proclaiming God’s will is being done by these disciples, and the kingdom of God is being revealed, through those Jesus has given the ability to “see.” Revelation of God comes through Jesus Christ. Jesus lifts the blinders from our eyes!
Finally Jesus gives a blessing and this blessing not only is a blessing on the disciples, but also a word of reminder for them to realize what a blessing has been bestowed on them. Many of the great prophets and kings that have come before truly desired to see these things, so marvel at what you are hearing and seeing because it doesn’t come to all people. Do we truly take the time to marvel when we see God at work in the world and in our lives? Do we take the time to see God at work? God is most definitely at work in and through us making his Kingdom known, maybe we need to pay attention more, and marvel more!!!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 9
Up to this point in the gospel Jesus has done ministry: Teaching, healing, casting out demons, etc. We have also seen certain others who have received Jesus’ ministry also following obediently after receiving Jesus’ ministry. Peter’s mother-in-law begins to serve (deaconizing) Jesus and the apostle’s after her healing. The man healed from the demonic in the last chapter goes and proclaims what God has done in his hometown, as Jesus tells him to do. The sinful woman from chapter 7 shows great love to Jesus, even before Jesus proclaims forgiveness. The women who are accompanying Jesus are serving Jesus through providing for him and is apostles out of their own funds. Here are examples of ministry. The apostle’s, while not fully understanding this stuff, are at least obedient to their call by Jesus and are following. Now Jesus is going to send them out in ministry.
1-6 – Apostles Sent Out in Ministry
Jesus begins by handing over to these 12, the ones he has hand chosen, the power and authority that he has been using in his ministry. They are given power over demons, power to cure from diseases, and the power to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to heal. It is curious that healing, and curing from diseases is mentioned. These we normally consider to be the same, but how are they different, and what kind of other healing is would Jesus be referring to?? What are the examples so far? This is the beginning of the commissioning that Jesus does for his disciples there are three others in the gospel and one in Acts. Ultimately the Jesus is sending the apostles out to perform the same job Jesus has been doing, which is to “proclaim the kingdom of God.” This proclamation is done through speaking and acting. The acting (physical demonstrations of the Kingdom of God) are the healings, the casting out of demons, the raising from the dead, the curing of diseases. These are sacramental ways the kingdom of God is breaking into our world, and showing us that there is an alternate reality that we do not always consider. That alternate reality is God’s reality!
Jesus then instructs the apostle’s:
1) Don’t take anything with you, nothing that you will cause you to rely on it instead of relying on the power of God I have just given you. Jesus seems to assume that we tend to get distracted, and our reliance on God is distracted if we can find something else to rely on. Also, an assumption here is that the apostles will be taken care of. They will not need to provide for themselves. A few of the items mentioned would make them seem like beggars (bag) or travelers (staff).
2) Where you are welcomed stay there. Do not seek better and better accommodations, don’t offend your hosts, be gracious.
3) How to respond to those who do not listen? Leave, and shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them.
The final verse shows their obedience to Jesus sending them out, their faith in using the power Jesus had given them, and the results that they did the same things Jesus did “everywhere!” To be a disciple of Jesus is to be sent out with the power of God to serve Jesus. Those who truly know who Jesus is, truly are sent out in ministry in a variety of ways for the purpose of bringing God’s kingdom into people’s lives.
7-9 – Herod’s Confusion
Herod has his scouts out checking on Jesus and hears back the reports of what Jesus is doing. Obviously Jesus’ power is growing. Not only does Jesus do some miraculous things, but now he has sent out 12 others who appear to have the same power at work in them!! This is becoming a threat, much like John was a threat. We hear here that John is dead, and Herod tells us he had John beheaded. Sounds like Herod doesn’t believe it could be John. Those who are questioning are wrong also. John was the one who has fulfilled the role of Elijah (1:17). Jesus is someone else. The gospel has been asking the question of who this “Jesus” is over and over again. We are going to find out for sure in the coming verses from non other than God himself!! Herod is intrigued by what he hears, and wants to go see for himself who this “Jesus” is. Will Herod ever “know” who Jesus is?
10-17 – Power at Work
The apostles return and tell Jesus of everything they were able to accomplish. After ministry it is good to “retreat,” take a “Sabbath” (sabbatical) to refresh. The Apostles are able to retreat with Jesus in the lead, but Jesus is not, the crowds find him again. Jesus welcomes them, and he speaks, and heals, and brings the kingdom of God into their midst.
The apostles were doing so well at following obediently what Jesus told them to do, but here, again, they slip backwards. The apostles appear concerned for the people who are getting hungry and suggest to Jesus (as the leader) that he may want to stop talking and dismiss the crowds so they can both get something to eat and find a place to sleep for the night. Jesus disregards any worry about where people are going to sleep, but focuses on the eating. In the exodus the Israelites learned that their “daily food” comes from God, manna from heaven. Jesus has a concern that we do not pass the buck onto other, but rather take leadership in fulfilling people’s needs. Jesus shows that taking this leadership in people’s lives eliminates their worry so they may see the kingdom of God breaking into their lives. It is through these simple acts of love and charity (feeding those who are hungry), helping others in their needs, where God breaks into people’s lives.
The normal posture for prayer was looking up into heaven, and the words used following this are reminiscent of the early forms of communion in the church (Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19; 24:30, 1 Cor 11:23-24). This action of prayer, blessing and breaking bread, and distributing will become the main way the disciples will “understand” who Jesus really is, and Jesus will be revealed to them in just this way at the resurrection (at Emmaus). The disciples at Emmaus are very possible in the crowd here, and so Jesus actions then will trigger their reminder of the other time they experienced the kingdom of God breaking into their world. The bread is this sign. The fish are possibly harder to interpret, except that fish was the only meat eaten in large quantities, and more ordinary. The fish was an early designation of Christianity. The greek word for “fish” was “ichthus,” and each of these letters made up the anagram for “Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior.”
This feeding, and their being filled is one of the signs of the kingdom in the earlier beatitudes. Luke is using this story between Herod’s questioning of who this Jesus is, and the next declaration by Peter of who Jesus really is!! When we fulfill people’s basic needs we open the door into their hearts to be able to experience Jesus and the kingdom of God.
At this point Luke omits a big chunk of Mark (6:45-8:26).
18-23 – Who is Jesus? That is the Question!! What does MESSIAH mean?
As Jesus was praying with his disciples he asks them THE question. What are people saying about him, and specifically who do people think I am?? They give the usual suspects John the Baptist, Elijah, another prophet from of old. Then Jesus asks the real question. “Who do YOU say that I am?” Peter makes the ultimate confession of faith, saying out loud in the gospel that Jesus is the MESSIAH, and reveals that maybe Peter does actually get it (but he will fall back again). This confession comes in the setting of prayer!! The previous chapters have taken great pains to make sure we as readers understand the Jesus falls in line with the prophets of old, but that Jesus is greater than. Peter’s confession spells out what the greater than means.
Peter hits the nail on the head, and this is clear with Jesus’ clear “rebuke” to not tell anyone. This is how Jesus has spoken to the demons, fevers, and the wind & sea. In the use of this word it is clear that for others to “know” this much about Jesus this early will place a stumbling block before Jesus’ ministry. Jesus lays out what his ministry has yet to accomplish and nothing can stand in the way of this coming to fulfillment! The concept of “Messiah” brought certain concepts to people’s minds; Ushering in the kingdom of God; Riding in on the wings of angels; Saving the people from the evil ones in charge (Roman occupation). The title “Son of Man” has apocalyptic connotations, and so people would link this to end time speculation. Jesus’ next statement shows the path for the Messiah, and it may not look like the path expected for the Messiah. This is the first passion prediction. Jesus makes clear the necessity of the path he is following, this is God’s path and must be followed, even if it doesn’t look like what we thought it would look like!
23-27 - What does it mean to follow this Messiah??
Jesus then addresses the disciples about their willingness to follow, and what it will mean for them.
1) Deny Yourself, take up your cross daily – this image only makes sense from the vantage point after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Readers of Luke would understand this imagery linking to Jesus’ death! Luke is clear that followers of Jesus do what Jesus did. He sent out the disciples earlier in this chapter and they were given the same power Jesus has, and did the same things Jesus was doing. Following Jesus may very well lead to our crucifixion! Luke adds daily, giving us the distinction that following Jesus is a daily decision we make, or don’t make! How easy is it to get out of bed in the morning knowing you could die today!! It’s hard enough when its raining outside, or when we have turned the clocks forward an hour!! Following Jesus is immeasurably difficult. Its important to note that we are called to “deny ourselves” daily also!! How often do we “deny ourselves?” In American culture we are not good at denying ourselves anything. It is also important to note that following comes after denying and taking up the cross. We can’t follow without doing the first two.
2) The reversal of the kingdom of God compared to this world is seen next. Normally in life we are all about saving our lives. It is even common to evangelize by saying, “have you been saved?” I wonder if this is a capitulation to the culture we are living in. Saving our lives is not what it’s about. Losing our life for the sake of the Kingdom of God is actually what it is all about. Are we willing to die?? This reversal takes on battle imagery, and is similar to instructions given to soldiers heading to battle. Those who turn and run away are the first to die!
3) The imagery here is of the marketplace, this resonates with our culture of accumulation of things! The key to success in our culture is having more power, more money. We are constantly being seduced into the understanding that with this kind of success comes ease of life, fulfillment of life, and security of life. If you notice the qualifiers it is always focused on this life. Jesus point here is that in this kind of thought pattern you can gain everything the world has to offer, but you will lose everything of real value in the end.
4) There is no private discipleship. There is no just me and my god. Our willingness to be open about the kingdom of God in our lives, and how that kingdom changes our life on a daily basis is what it means to be a disciple. It is what Jesus’ message for the world is. The kingdom of God is here, now, and makes a difference in your life NOW!!
5) What is the significance of “tasting death?” In the next story we will witness through the story the kingdom of God on the mountain of transfiguration. I wonder if this isn’t a commentary upon the preceding verse and those who are ashamed of Jesus. If we think physical death is terrible and try to prevent it at all costs, just imagine what will happen to those who are ashamed of Jesus and his word, these people won’t know what real death is until the Kingdom of God!! Then they will see!!
“There are only two impulses in life. One is the impulse to acquire, take, hoard, own, and protect. The other is the impulse to give and to serve. One assumes that each of us can be the Lord of our own lives and that our security and fulfillment depend on our ability to provide for ourselves. The other confesses the sovereignty of God and devotes life to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive will in delivering and empowering others, establishing justice and peace, tearing down barriers, reconciling persons and creating communities. (Culpepper, p.203)
28-36 – The Transfiguration
Mountains are places of retreat, places to go to pray to God, commune with God, and grow closer to God. Mountains in the Old Testament are important places. Mt. Sinai was where Moses spoke to God, and saw God’s “backside,” and received the 10 commandments. Here Jesus brings with him three disciples, Peter, John and James. Is it a coincidence that Jesus brings three disciples and we see Jesus stand with Moses and Elijah? Is there some significance here that Jesus is expecting Peter James and John to function after the Resurrection as Moses, Elijah, and Jesus??
Throughout the story Luke has been trying to convince the reader of who Jesus is! The reader already knows, but here again God confirms it, and begins to give the disciples real tangible evidence of who Jesus is, and the importance of “listening” to Jesus!! For us today we can be assured of the importance of “listening” to Jesus!!
Luke changes Mark’s 6 days to 8, and adjusts the order of the disciples. In placing Peter & John together, Luke may be foreshadowing the role of these two later in the gospel, and in Acts. The appearance of Jesus changes, “dazzling white.”
Jesus talks with Moses and Elijah about Jesus’ “exodus.” That Jesus is talking with Moses and Elijah shows forth the reality of the Resurrection. Moses died, and is there talking with Jesus. Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind and is there talking with Jesus.
Peter is so taken with this miraculous scene he wants to commemorate it with building three dwelling places. He would like this moment to last, however, that is not the point. There is other work to be done, and this is to give the boost to these disciples so they will be empowered to carry out the will of God in their lives even amidst circumstances that will cost them their lives.
Clouds in scripture are one of the ways God’s presence slips in, without being seen. The words spoken from this cloud are similar to the one’s spoken at Jesus’ baptism. Coming from Isaiah 42:1. Jesus is God’s son, the chosen one!! Listening to him is not an option for these disciples. What has Jesus just said that needs this reinforcement from God? This scene confirms that Jesus is going to be leaving the disciples, and confirms that resurrection is real. Moses & Elijah apparently are resurrected!!!
37-43a – The Only Son of a Father (hmmm…similar to Jesus’ relation to God…hmmmm)
Remember earlier when Jesus had sent the Apostles out with power to bring the kingdom of God into people’s lives, and remember their report when they returned how they had taught about the kingdom, and cured diseases. They didn’t say anything about driving out demons!! Here we have someone who had asked the apostles on their journey, but they couldn’t do it!!! Jesus had given the disciples “power & authority” over all demons!!! Jesus is frustrated with his disciples. Jesus shows his pattern of blessing. Jesus takes what is brought, blesses it, and gives it back. This is what happens in healings, exorcisms, feeding of the five thousand, etc. As our faith is placed in Jesus, our faith is blessed and given back, healed, strengthened, etc.
43b-45 – 2nd Passion Announcement
The disciples (at least 3 of them) have been told to “listen” to Jesus by the voice of God!! Here Jesus tries to tell them again what is going to happen, but they don’t understand. We have a situation here of what is seen doesn’t go well with what is said. It is obvious from what Jesus is doing that he has all power and authority so his statements about his passion may not make sense to his disciples, or to us. If Jesus has all this power and authority why would he allow himself to be captured and put to death. It doesn’t make sense to our human sensibilities. If we had the power and authority we wouldn’t let that happen to us!!!!
46-48 – What is Greatness in Discipleship??
As the 2nd passion prediction showed God’s ways are not our ways. Greatness to our minds is not greatness to God!! Jesus relates greatness to welcoming children, and showing us that the least among us is the greatest! What does this say for our ministry? Jesus shows that we must give up our own ambitions and focus on faithfulness to God.
49-50 – Why stop an Exorcist?
The disciples are falling into the Pharisaical legal trap again. They couldn’t cast out demons, and they don’t want someone else doing it. Jesus tells them to stay away from that kind of thinking. The person wasn’t against the disciples, so why bother him! Jealousy is something that is dangerous in our lives, and is against what God is doing!! Who here is doing the work of the kingdom? Is it John? Is it the one casting out demons? There is a danger in the church that we focus on our status as church members, and not on our faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Faithfulness to the gospel requires us to be servants, service to others, and bringing God’s power and authority to situations in people’s lives, and not relying on status of our position in the world.
Chapter 9:51-19:27 – Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem
51-56 – Turning Point – Toward Jerusalem
Here we have a turning point for Jesus. He is moving in the story toward his walk to Jerusalem and what will happen to him there. At the beginning of his ministry in Galilee back in chapter 4 Jesus was rejected, now also as his ministry begins toward Jerusalem he is again rejected right off the bat. The disciples want to use earthly power to destroy, Jesus has come not to destroy but to reconcile the world to God, and bring life not death!! Why is it that we like to destroy people when they don’t think like we do? How is this a real temptation for human beings, and how have we given in to this temptation time and again in the history of the world, and currently? Jesus’ ways just do not make sense to us!!
57-62 – What does it mean to follow?
This section begins by showing us what Jesus has given up to follow God’s will in his life. Jesus has no where where he can rest!! The rest of God’s creation can rest, but he cannot!! He is following God!! Jesus is homeless!! Does this follower really understand what following Jesus means? When we follow Jesus fully and completely we have no home, no place to rest, no place to escape the ministry of God! It is wearying, and ultimately leads to death!! Taking care of yourself is secondary to following God!! Next we learn that our duty to our family in death is secondary to following God!! Focus on the living not the dead, according to Jesus. Finally Jesus uses a farming practice to show us how to be good disciples, do not look back, do not allow yourselves to be distracted by concerns that are not as important as the kingdom of God in people’s lives. What kind of distractions are there? What are the distractions that we deem to be important, because they are, which Jesus is suggesting are not as important?? Jesus is setting his face toward Jerusalem, and he is not going to look back, his furrow to the cross will be straight!!
1-6 – Apostles Sent Out in Ministry
Jesus begins by handing over to these 12, the ones he has hand chosen, the power and authority that he has been using in his ministry. They are given power over demons, power to cure from diseases, and the power to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to heal. It is curious that healing, and curing from diseases is mentioned. These we normally consider to be the same, but how are they different, and what kind of other healing is would Jesus be referring to?? What are the examples so far? This is the beginning of the commissioning that Jesus does for his disciples there are three others in the gospel and one in Acts. Ultimately the Jesus is sending the apostles out to perform the same job Jesus has been doing, which is to “proclaim the kingdom of God.” This proclamation is done through speaking and acting. The acting (physical demonstrations of the Kingdom of God) are the healings, the casting out of demons, the raising from the dead, the curing of diseases. These are sacramental ways the kingdom of God is breaking into our world, and showing us that there is an alternate reality that we do not always consider. That alternate reality is God’s reality!
Jesus then instructs the apostle’s:
1) Don’t take anything with you, nothing that you will cause you to rely on it instead of relying on the power of God I have just given you. Jesus seems to assume that we tend to get distracted, and our reliance on God is distracted if we can find something else to rely on. Also, an assumption here is that the apostles will be taken care of. They will not need to provide for themselves. A few of the items mentioned would make them seem like beggars (bag) or travelers (staff).
2) Where you are welcomed stay there. Do not seek better and better accommodations, don’t offend your hosts, be gracious.
3) How to respond to those who do not listen? Leave, and shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them.
The final verse shows their obedience to Jesus sending them out, their faith in using the power Jesus had given them, and the results that they did the same things Jesus did “everywhere!” To be a disciple of Jesus is to be sent out with the power of God to serve Jesus. Those who truly know who Jesus is, truly are sent out in ministry in a variety of ways for the purpose of bringing God’s kingdom into people’s lives.
7-9 – Herod’s Confusion
Herod has his scouts out checking on Jesus and hears back the reports of what Jesus is doing. Obviously Jesus’ power is growing. Not only does Jesus do some miraculous things, but now he has sent out 12 others who appear to have the same power at work in them!! This is becoming a threat, much like John was a threat. We hear here that John is dead, and Herod tells us he had John beheaded. Sounds like Herod doesn’t believe it could be John. Those who are questioning are wrong also. John was the one who has fulfilled the role of Elijah (1:17). Jesus is someone else. The gospel has been asking the question of who this “Jesus” is over and over again. We are going to find out for sure in the coming verses from non other than God himself!! Herod is intrigued by what he hears, and wants to go see for himself who this “Jesus” is. Will Herod ever “know” who Jesus is?
10-17 – Power at Work
The apostles return and tell Jesus of everything they were able to accomplish. After ministry it is good to “retreat,” take a “Sabbath” (sabbatical) to refresh. The Apostles are able to retreat with Jesus in the lead, but Jesus is not, the crowds find him again. Jesus welcomes them, and he speaks, and heals, and brings the kingdom of God into their midst.
The apostles were doing so well at following obediently what Jesus told them to do, but here, again, they slip backwards. The apostles appear concerned for the people who are getting hungry and suggest to Jesus (as the leader) that he may want to stop talking and dismiss the crowds so they can both get something to eat and find a place to sleep for the night. Jesus disregards any worry about where people are going to sleep, but focuses on the eating. In the exodus the Israelites learned that their “daily food” comes from God, manna from heaven. Jesus has a concern that we do not pass the buck onto other, but rather take leadership in fulfilling people’s needs. Jesus shows that taking this leadership in people’s lives eliminates their worry so they may see the kingdom of God breaking into their lives. It is through these simple acts of love and charity (feeding those who are hungry), helping others in their needs, where God breaks into people’s lives.
The normal posture for prayer was looking up into heaven, and the words used following this are reminiscent of the early forms of communion in the church (Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19; 24:30, 1 Cor 11:23-24). This action of prayer, blessing and breaking bread, and distributing will become the main way the disciples will “understand” who Jesus really is, and Jesus will be revealed to them in just this way at the resurrection (at Emmaus). The disciples at Emmaus are very possible in the crowd here, and so Jesus actions then will trigger their reminder of the other time they experienced the kingdom of God breaking into their world. The bread is this sign. The fish are possibly harder to interpret, except that fish was the only meat eaten in large quantities, and more ordinary. The fish was an early designation of Christianity. The greek word for “fish” was “ichthus,” and each of these letters made up the anagram for “Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior.”
This feeding, and their being filled is one of the signs of the kingdom in the earlier beatitudes. Luke is using this story between Herod’s questioning of who this Jesus is, and the next declaration by Peter of who Jesus really is!! When we fulfill people’s basic needs we open the door into their hearts to be able to experience Jesus and the kingdom of God.
At this point Luke omits a big chunk of Mark (6:45-8:26).
18-23 – Who is Jesus? That is the Question!! What does MESSIAH mean?
As Jesus was praying with his disciples he asks them THE question. What are people saying about him, and specifically who do people think I am?? They give the usual suspects John the Baptist, Elijah, another prophet from of old. Then Jesus asks the real question. “Who do YOU say that I am?” Peter makes the ultimate confession of faith, saying out loud in the gospel that Jesus is the MESSIAH, and reveals that maybe Peter does actually get it (but he will fall back again). This confession comes in the setting of prayer!! The previous chapters have taken great pains to make sure we as readers understand the Jesus falls in line with the prophets of old, but that Jesus is greater than. Peter’s confession spells out what the greater than means.
Peter hits the nail on the head, and this is clear with Jesus’ clear “rebuke” to not tell anyone. This is how Jesus has spoken to the demons, fevers, and the wind & sea. In the use of this word it is clear that for others to “know” this much about Jesus this early will place a stumbling block before Jesus’ ministry. Jesus lays out what his ministry has yet to accomplish and nothing can stand in the way of this coming to fulfillment! The concept of “Messiah” brought certain concepts to people’s minds; Ushering in the kingdom of God; Riding in on the wings of angels; Saving the people from the evil ones in charge (Roman occupation). The title “Son of Man” has apocalyptic connotations, and so people would link this to end time speculation. Jesus’ next statement shows the path for the Messiah, and it may not look like the path expected for the Messiah. This is the first passion prediction. Jesus makes clear the necessity of the path he is following, this is God’s path and must be followed, even if it doesn’t look like what we thought it would look like!
23-27 - What does it mean to follow this Messiah??
Jesus then addresses the disciples about their willingness to follow, and what it will mean for them.
1) Deny Yourself, take up your cross daily – this image only makes sense from the vantage point after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Readers of Luke would understand this imagery linking to Jesus’ death! Luke is clear that followers of Jesus do what Jesus did. He sent out the disciples earlier in this chapter and they were given the same power Jesus has, and did the same things Jesus was doing. Following Jesus may very well lead to our crucifixion! Luke adds daily, giving us the distinction that following Jesus is a daily decision we make, or don’t make! How easy is it to get out of bed in the morning knowing you could die today!! It’s hard enough when its raining outside, or when we have turned the clocks forward an hour!! Following Jesus is immeasurably difficult. Its important to note that we are called to “deny ourselves” daily also!! How often do we “deny ourselves?” In American culture we are not good at denying ourselves anything. It is also important to note that following comes after denying and taking up the cross. We can’t follow without doing the first two.
2) The reversal of the kingdom of God compared to this world is seen next. Normally in life we are all about saving our lives. It is even common to evangelize by saying, “have you been saved?” I wonder if this is a capitulation to the culture we are living in. Saving our lives is not what it’s about. Losing our life for the sake of the Kingdom of God is actually what it is all about. Are we willing to die?? This reversal takes on battle imagery, and is similar to instructions given to soldiers heading to battle. Those who turn and run away are the first to die!
3) The imagery here is of the marketplace, this resonates with our culture of accumulation of things! The key to success in our culture is having more power, more money. We are constantly being seduced into the understanding that with this kind of success comes ease of life, fulfillment of life, and security of life. If you notice the qualifiers it is always focused on this life. Jesus point here is that in this kind of thought pattern you can gain everything the world has to offer, but you will lose everything of real value in the end.
4) There is no private discipleship. There is no just me and my god. Our willingness to be open about the kingdom of God in our lives, and how that kingdom changes our life on a daily basis is what it means to be a disciple. It is what Jesus’ message for the world is. The kingdom of God is here, now, and makes a difference in your life NOW!!
5) What is the significance of “tasting death?” In the next story we will witness through the story the kingdom of God on the mountain of transfiguration. I wonder if this isn’t a commentary upon the preceding verse and those who are ashamed of Jesus. If we think physical death is terrible and try to prevent it at all costs, just imagine what will happen to those who are ashamed of Jesus and his word, these people won’t know what real death is until the Kingdom of God!! Then they will see!!
“There are only two impulses in life. One is the impulse to acquire, take, hoard, own, and protect. The other is the impulse to give and to serve. One assumes that each of us can be the Lord of our own lives and that our security and fulfillment depend on our ability to provide for ourselves. The other confesses the sovereignty of God and devotes life to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive will in delivering and empowering others, establishing justice and peace, tearing down barriers, reconciling persons and creating communities. (Culpepper, p.203)
28-36 – The Transfiguration
Mountains are places of retreat, places to go to pray to God, commune with God, and grow closer to God. Mountains in the Old Testament are important places. Mt. Sinai was where Moses spoke to God, and saw God’s “backside,” and received the 10 commandments. Here Jesus brings with him three disciples, Peter, John and James. Is it a coincidence that Jesus brings three disciples and we see Jesus stand with Moses and Elijah? Is there some significance here that Jesus is expecting Peter James and John to function after the Resurrection as Moses, Elijah, and Jesus??
Throughout the story Luke has been trying to convince the reader of who Jesus is! The reader already knows, but here again God confirms it, and begins to give the disciples real tangible evidence of who Jesus is, and the importance of “listening” to Jesus!! For us today we can be assured of the importance of “listening” to Jesus!!
Luke changes Mark’s 6 days to 8, and adjusts the order of the disciples. In placing Peter & John together, Luke may be foreshadowing the role of these two later in the gospel, and in Acts. The appearance of Jesus changes, “dazzling white.”
Jesus talks with Moses and Elijah about Jesus’ “exodus.” That Jesus is talking with Moses and Elijah shows forth the reality of the Resurrection. Moses died, and is there talking with Jesus. Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind and is there talking with Jesus.
Peter is so taken with this miraculous scene he wants to commemorate it with building three dwelling places. He would like this moment to last, however, that is not the point. There is other work to be done, and this is to give the boost to these disciples so they will be empowered to carry out the will of God in their lives even amidst circumstances that will cost them their lives.
Clouds in scripture are one of the ways God’s presence slips in, without being seen. The words spoken from this cloud are similar to the one’s spoken at Jesus’ baptism. Coming from Isaiah 42:1. Jesus is God’s son, the chosen one!! Listening to him is not an option for these disciples. What has Jesus just said that needs this reinforcement from God? This scene confirms that Jesus is going to be leaving the disciples, and confirms that resurrection is real. Moses & Elijah apparently are resurrected!!!
37-43a – The Only Son of a Father (hmmm…similar to Jesus’ relation to God…hmmmm)
Remember earlier when Jesus had sent the Apostles out with power to bring the kingdom of God into people’s lives, and remember their report when they returned how they had taught about the kingdom, and cured diseases. They didn’t say anything about driving out demons!! Here we have someone who had asked the apostles on their journey, but they couldn’t do it!!! Jesus had given the disciples “power & authority” over all demons!!! Jesus is frustrated with his disciples. Jesus shows his pattern of blessing. Jesus takes what is brought, blesses it, and gives it back. This is what happens in healings, exorcisms, feeding of the five thousand, etc. As our faith is placed in Jesus, our faith is blessed and given back, healed, strengthened, etc.
43b-45 – 2nd Passion Announcement
The disciples (at least 3 of them) have been told to “listen” to Jesus by the voice of God!! Here Jesus tries to tell them again what is going to happen, but they don’t understand. We have a situation here of what is seen doesn’t go well with what is said. It is obvious from what Jesus is doing that he has all power and authority so his statements about his passion may not make sense to his disciples, or to us. If Jesus has all this power and authority why would he allow himself to be captured and put to death. It doesn’t make sense to our human sensibilities. If we had the power and authority we wouldn’t let that happen to us!!!!
46-48 – What is Greatness in Discipleship??
As the 2nd passion prediction showed God’s ways are not our ways. Greatness to our minds is not greatness to God!! Jesus relates greatness to welcoming children, and showing us that the least among us is the greatest! What does this say for our ministry? Jesus shows that we must give up our own ambitions and focus on faithfulness to God.
49-50 – Why stop an Exorcist?
The disciples are falling into the Pharisaical legal trap again. They couldn’t cast out demons, and they don’t want someone else doing it. Jesus tells them to stay away from that kind of thinking. The person wasn’t against the disciples, so why bother him! Jealousy is something that is dangerous in our lives, and is against what God is doing!! Who here is doing the work of the kingdom? Is it John? Is it the one casting out demons? There is a danger in the church that we focus on our status as church members, and not on our faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Faithfulness to the gospel requires us to be servants, service to others, and bringing God’s power and authority to situations in people’s lives, and not relying on status of our position in the world.
Chapter 9:51-19:27 – Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem
51-56 – Turning Point – Toward Jerusalem
Here we have a turning point for Jesus. He is moving in the story toward his walk to Jerusalem and what will happen to him there. At the beginning of his ministry in Galilee back in chapter 4 Jesus was rejected, now also as his ministry begins toward Jerusalem he is again rejected right off the bat. The disciples want to use earthly power to destroy, Jesus has come not to destroy but to reconcile the world to God, and bring life not death!! Why is it that we like to destroy people when they don’t think like we do? How is this a real temptation for human beings, and how have we given in to this temptation time and again in the history of the world, and currently? Jesus’ ways just do not make sense to us!!
57-62 – What does it mean to follow?
This section begins by showing us what Jesus has given up to follow God’s will in his life. Jesus has no where where he can rest!! The rest of God’s creation can rest, but he cannot!! He is following God!! Jesus is homeless!! Does this follower really understand what following Jesus means? When we follow Jesus fully and completely we have no home, no place to rest, no place to escape the ministry of God! It is wearying, and ultimately leads to death!! Taking care of yourself is secondary to following God!! Next we learn that our duty to our family in death is secondary to following God!! Focus on the living not the dead, according to Jesus. Finally Jesus uses a farming practice to show us how to be good disciples, do not look back, do not allow yourselves to be distracted by concerns that are not as important as the kingdom of God in people’s lives. What kind of distractions are there? What are the distractions that we deem to be important, because they are, which Jesus is suggesting are not as important?? Jesus is setting his face toward Jerusalem, and he is not going to look back, his furrow to the cross will be straight!!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 8
The Word – Powerful, Effective, Active
Hearing & Doing God’s Word
8:1-3 – Transition -- with Women
Jesus is continuing traveling around, with him are his Apostles that he specifically has called, and some women, whom Luke names (Mary Magdelene; Joanna; Susanna), and who had been “released” from evil spirits and infirmities, and others. Luke continues to show the importance of women in his writing. This will continue at the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and in Acts. Mary Magdelene & Joanna are at the tomb of the resurrection. These women and others are providing (deaconizing, serving) for Jesus and the Apostles. The proper use of wealth and resources is a theme in Luke, and these women are using their resources wisely in providing for Jesus and his Apostles as they bring God’s word. This transition tells us that Jesus is bringing word about God’s KINGDOM. Here the Greek has the sense that Jesus is heralding, declaring God’s dominion as he goes from town to town (Tiede, p. 164). This is over against the heralds who enter towns bringing news about Caesar’s kingdom. Luke sets up God’s kingdom against the Kingdoms of this world!!
8:4-15 – Parable of the Seed & Soil
Jesus then teaches in front of a great crowd about the Kingdom of God, and what it is like bringing this news to the hearers. First of all the seed is scattered wide, not sowed with any intentionality at all. The sower doesn’t seem to care that some seed is falling on a path, and in other areas where the possibilities are not too good for growth. Only a small percentage of the seed really produces growth, but the growth of that small amount far outweighs the seeds that were lost. In explaining the parable to his “disciples” Luke softens much of the parable and the explanation from Mark’s version. Usually we think of Luke expanding the stories from Mark, since Luke’s gospel is much longer, but here and in several other parables Luke actually shortens up the story from Mark (in fact Mark’s story is the longest in the synoptics), using less words focusing more upon the point Luke is making in the parable of hearing God’s Word about the Kingdom. To this point in the story do we have examples of each of these types of hearing? Who are the rocks? Who are the thorns? Who is the path? So far in our story the women seem to be where good soil can be found!!
Luke brings in the devil as one who snatches the seed from us (Judas Iscariot as an example), times of testing come and if our roots are shallow the seed dies in us (Peter-Rock as example when he denied Jesus, note what Peter does to combat this temptation), other times the cares of the world, riches, pleasures get in the way of our continuing in God’s word (numerous examples of this through Luke/Acts) . Each of these things are dangers in our lives, however, if we carry on with “patient endurance,” holding God’s word in our hearts the harvest will be amazing!
The hundred-fold yield may take us back to Gen 26:12, where Isaac reaped one-hundred fold, and this is seen as God’s blessing. It is clear that the harvest in this instance is blessed by God. The good soil then is a heart that has been prepared to receive God’s blessings. So far in Luke that kind of heart is one that is humble before Jesus, that recognizes our need for God, how great our sinful state is, how much Jesus “releases” us from this state, and responds with joyful LOVE at God’s releasing us. The one’s who hear and listen and understand God’s word produce amazing fruit, and endure through much in life trusting in that word from God. Jesus explains the parable to the disciples, and says they have been given this gift to understand (or at least be able to be taught). The others do not understand. There are many so far who do not understand, and there are some who do, and still others (disciples) who need an explanation to understand. List out the people in each of these categories. What do you notice?
8:16-18 – Lamp is to Light as….
Luke here now uses a parable as a commentary on the previous parable. This story sets up a nice parallel between 8:4 & 8:16. We have been told from 1:78-79 that it is God’s purpose to bring “light” to those who sit in darkness. This light is the Word of God, and these verses make this connection. How has Jesus done this so far?
There is a responsibility that comes with hearing this word that Jesus and the Apostles are bringing. The responsibility is to have it shine in our lives. How do we listen? How are Luke’s readers listening? Do we pay attention to how we are listening? Does it go in one ear and out the other? Do our lives change, or do we remain the same as we always have been? Jesus’ preaching and teaching is lighting a lamp in our souls. This lamp is to be shone forth, or do we continually extinguish it?? In our Baptismal service we give out a candle and say, “Let you light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.” Then at the end of the Baptism I have the family blow out the candle as a safety precaution, but do we blow out the light Jesus lights in us on Sunday??
God’s word is a light that is reaching into the souls of all who hear, and revealing all in this light of Jesus Christ. This light not only reveals all but heals all through the power of God at work in Jesus, which we will shortly see just how powerful God is through Jesus. Finally, Jesus wants us to realize that those who listen as “good soil” will not only produce a wonderful harvest, but will be given more (seed?) responsibility in order that the harvest grow abundantly.
8:19-21 – Family??
Ultimately Jesus is connected to people not through lineage, but by response to the Word of God in our lives. Jesus connects us to God as family as we hear (listen) with hearts that are open to the change the Word of God can effect in us.
The Doing of God’s Word is Powerful – Jesus shows us how powerful!!
8:22-25 – More Powerful than Nature
This story is an inversion of the story in Jonah 1! Luke treats this story as an exorcism. The disciples call Jesus Master, not Lord, thus exposing their lack of faith. This story connects Jesus’ power to the power of Moses’ during the Exodus as Moses parted the waters to led the Israelites pass through. This same power is at work in Jesus, and ultimately Jesus is showing this power to say that those who are “good soil” have this same power at work in them!!! The closing of this story has the disciples asking, “who is this?” This question has been the theme of this section from chapter 5 (5:21 scribe; 7:20 John; 7:49 those at table; 8:25 disciples; 9:9 Herod) and will culminate in chapter 9 with Herod’s question. With this questioning the disciples are showing their not yet in the group that fully comprehends who Jesus is!
8:26- 39 – More Powerful than Demons!
This man is homeless (like Jesus), and doesn’t have any extra clothes. This story assumes an understanding of Jewish piety. Pigs were unclean, tombs were unclean, demons roamed in the desolate places, the wilderness. After crossing the lake Jesus is met by this man possessed, and the demon knows who Jesus is, knows Jesus power over him, and basically grovels before Jesus, even as Jesus is commanding the demon to come out. Knowing the names of demons give one control over the demon, and the demon cannot resist when Jesus asks straight out, though a commentator noted that the name given may be a form of trick, because there were many demons not just one, but it doesn’t matter, Jesus still obviously has control over them. The name Legion is given. This is also the name of a Roman company of soldiers. A Roman Legion was 5-6,000 men. Is this another attempt to show the power of God’s kingdom over Caesar?? Is Jesus more powerful than a Roman Legion??
The demon’s beg Jesus not to be sent to the abyss, which is the place where evil spirits are imprisoned. Jesus allows the demons to do what they suggest, entering the swine, but then the swine do something unusual by running into the lake drowning themselves.
The pigs running into the water may be an indication of the burden the man had been carrying with those demons. If pigs run and kill themselves with these demons, this man was carrying a heavy burden!! Evil always wants to do what it wants, and when it gets its way it is usually self-destructive. The man who was possessed is now sane, clothed and sitting at the feet of Jesus, taking his place among those who humble themselves before Jesus, and ultimately serve him.
When the people came out and saw what had happened they were filled with fear, and this fear caused “all the people” to tell Jesus to leave them. The man who was healed wants to go with Jesus, but Jesus doesn’t allow this and instead leaves the man to be a witness, and to continue to tell people the story of God’s power at work in healing him.
This story shows God’s power over the evil spirits that ail us. Today the sicknesses that we may associate with evil spirits are depression and other “mental” illnesses for which we do not have a rational explanation for, but still are very real in people’s lives. This story lends a word of hope that God’s power is greater than any of these problems in our lives, and our calling is then to proclaim “how much God has done for us.” In order for us to do this proclaiming we need to recognize how much God has delivered us!! The struggle is at those times when it doesn’t appear as if God is delivering us from these ailments!!
8:40-56 – More Powerful than Sickness and even Death!
Jesus returns and the crowds welcome him in, waiting for him. A leader in the synagogue approaches, in humility (the key to understanding who Jesus is, and the power that is possible from Him!) begs Jesus to come heal his “only” daughter. This links with Jesus’ earlier raising from the dead the “only” son of a mother. However, at this point in the story the girl is still alive, but dying.
As Jesus moves towards this dying girl (which might be considered an emergency) the crowds are pressing him, probably wanting him to do the things he has been doing for them. An unclean woman approaches. This would have been against all regulations. Unclean people are to keep away from others, and they are to shout out UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN so others would not go near them. This woman is obviously keeping her problem a secret, and she moves into the crowd because she knows Jesus has the power to heal her. She has been suffering for a long time, doctors are baffled, she is at the end of her rope, and so she reaches out for the end of Jesus garments (fringe). This faith in Jesus’ power is shown by her risking everything to reach Jesus, and she doesn’t even need to speak to Him, just touching his cloak.
This woman is an interruption to our story ( a story within a story ) and it places our original story in great suspense. Jesus is rushing to the bedside of a little girl, who is the little girl of the LEADER of the synagogue (an important Jewish leader, who also appears to be very faithful, aka his humility before Jesus). What is going to happen to the little girl, is Jesus going to be too late now that he had to stop and talk to this “intruder” woman??
In the previous story we have Jesus coming into contact with the UNCLEAN, and not bothered by it at all. In this story he does the same. The woman with the hemorrhage is unclean. A dead girl is unclean, but Jesus can transcend this, and makes clean rather than becoming infected himself.
When we bring Jesus with us we can reach out to others in ways that otherwise we wouldn’t be able to. This can give us a sense of confidence, not in ourselves, but in God’s presence with us. When we are doing something uncomfortable it is good to call upon the Lord to help us reach out!! Jesus doesn’t have the hangups we do. Jesus can and will reach out through us!!
As Jesus stops and asks to see the person who touched him, Peter seems to think his question is rather silly (though Luke softens this from Mark). Peter might be thinking, “Look around, who isn’t touching you???” However, this touch is a special touch. It is the touch of someone in need. It is the touch of someone suffering. It is the touch of someone who is humble. It is the touch of someone with faith. And that faith caused the Power of God to flow out of Jesus. This is an amazing point. Jesus didn’t cause the power to flow, it was the faith, the reaching out to Jesus, the touch of the humble that caused Gods power to flow freely.
As Jesus is talking with this woman we hear that his delay has some terrible consequences. Jesus didn’t make it in time; the girl has died. Jesus, however, will turn this into an opportunity to show what kind of power he really has. You think curing this woman was something, or the demoniac, or the storm?? You are going to see real power here (again). ONLY BELIEVE!!
Jesus goes to the girl, chastises the crowd for weeping over this dead little girl (who really is dead, even though Jesus says she isn’t). This raises some questions about death for us. Does Jesus see death differently than we do?? Does Jesus see death as a “sleeping” until we are raised again, as in this case?? Is it not the thing to be feared as we do?? Does Jesus recognize death as a temporary condition, whereas we see it as very permanent?? This may very well prove to be a wonderful viewpoint of what will happen in our resurrection. We die, and then we hear Jesus’ voice, “I say to you rise!!
The story makes sure to tell us that this little girl really is dead, and that Jesus really does bring the power of God to this place, and returns her spirit to her. The fact that Jesus has them bring her something to eat underscores that she has been raised to life, and is not just a spirit/ghost. Jesus does this same thing after His resurrection to show that he isn’t just an apparition (irish-banshee), but really alive, flesh and blood (though the resurrection body is still different than ours, but also the same).
Hearing & Doing God’s Word
8:1-3 – Transition -- with Women
Jesus is continuing traveling around, with him are his Apostles that he specifically has called, and some women, whom Luke names (Mary Magdelene; Joanna; Susanna), and who had been “released” from evil spirits and infirmities, and others. Luke continues to show the importance of women in his writing. This will continue at the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and in Acts. Mary Magdelene & Joanna are at the tomb of the resurrection. These women and others are providing (deaconizing, serving) for Jesus and the Apostles. The proper use of wealth and resources is a theme in Luke, and these women are using their resources wisely in providing for Jesus and his Apostles as they bring God’s word. This transition tells us that Jesus is bringing word about God’s KINGDOM. Here the Greek has the sense that Jesus is heralding, declaring God’s dominion as he goes from town to town (Tiede, p. 164). This is over against the heralds who enter towns bringing news about Caesar’s kingdom. Luke sets up God’s kingdom against the Kingdoms of this world!!
8:4-15 – Parable of the Seed & Soil
Jesus then teaches in front of a great crowd about the Kingdom of God, and what it is like bringing this news to the hearers. First of all the seed is scattered wide, not sowed with any intentionality at all. The sower doesn’t seem to care that some seed is falling on a path, and in other areas where the possibilities are not too good for growth. Only a small percentage of the seed really produces growth, but the growth of that small amount far outweighs the seeds that were lost. In explaining the parable to his “disciples” Luke softens much of the parable and the explanation from Mark’s version. Usually we think of Luke expanding the stories from Mark, since Luke’s gospel is much longer, but here and in several other parables Luke actually shortens up the story from Mark (in fact Mark’s story is the longest in the synoptics), using less words focusing more upon the point Luke is making in the parable of hearing God’s Word about the Kingdom. To this point in the story do we have examples of each of these types of hearing? Who are the rocks? Who are the thorns? Who is the path? So far in our story the women seem to be where good soil can be found!!
Luke brings in the devil as one who snatches the seed from us (Judas Iscariot as an example), times of testing come and if our roots are shallow the seed dies in us (Peter-Rock as example when he denied Jesus, note what Peter does to combat this temptation), other times the cares of the world, riches, pleasures get in the way of our continuing in God’s word (numerous examples of this through Luke/Acts) . Each of these things are dangers in our lives, however, if we carry on with “patient endurance,” holding God’s word in our hearts the harvest will be amazing!
The hundred-fold yield may take us back to Gen 26:12, where Isaac reaped one-hundred fold, and this is seen as God’s blessing. It is clear that the harvest in this instance is blessed by God. The good soil then is a heart that has been prepared to receive God’s blessings. So far in Luke that kind of heart is one that is humble before Jesus, that recognizes our need for God, how great our sinful state is, how much Jesus “releases” us from this state, and responds with joyful LOVE at God’s releasing us. The one’s who hear and listen and understand God’s word produce amazing fruit, and endure through much in life trusting in that word from God. Jesus explains the parable to the disciples, and says they have been given this gift to understand (or at least be able to be taught). The others do not understand. There are many so far who do not understand, and there are some who do, and still others (disciples) who need an explanation to understand. List out the people in each of these categories. What do you notice?
8:16-18 – Lamp is to Light as….
Luke here now uses a parable as a commentary on the previous parable. This story sets up a nice parallel between 8:4 & 8:16. We have been told from 1:78-79 that it is God’s purpose to bring “light” to those who sit in darkness. This light is the Word of God, and these verses make this connection. How has Jesus done this so far?
There is a responsibility that comes with hearing this word that Jesus and the Apostles are bringing. The responsibility is to have it shine in our lives. How do we listen? How are Luke’s readers listening? Do we pay attention to how we are listening? Does it go in one ear and out the other? Do our lives change, or do we remain the same as we always have been? Jesus’ preaching and teaching is lighting a lamp in our souls. This lamp is to be shone forth, or do we continually extinguish it?? In our Baptismal service we give out a candle and say, “Let you light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.” Then at the end of the Baptism I have the family blow out the candle as a safety precaution, but do we blow out the light Jesus lights in us on Sunday??
God’s word is a light that is reaching into the souls of all who hear, and revealing all in this light of Jesus Christ. This light not only reveals all but heals all through the power of God at work in Jesus, which we will shortly see just how powerful God is through Jesus. Finally, Jesus wants us to realize that those who listen as “good soil” will not only produce a wonderful harvest, but will be given more (seed?) responsibility in order that the harvest grow abundantly.
8:19-21 – Family??
Ultimately Jesus is connected to people not through lineage, but by response to the Word of God in our lives. Jesus connects us to God as family as we hear (listen) with hearts that are open to the change the Word of God can effect in us.
The Doing of God’s Word is Powerful – Jesus shows us how powerful!!
8:22-25 – More Powerful than Nature
This story is an inversion of the story in Jonah 1! Luke treats this story as an exorcism. The disciples call Jesus Master, not Lord, thus exposing their lack of faith. This story connects Jesus’ power to the power of Moses’ during the Exodus as Moses parted the waters to led the Israelites pass through. This same power is at work in Jesus, and ultimately Jesus is showing this power to say that those who are “good soil” have this same power at work in them!!! The closing of this story has the disciples asking, “who is this?” This question has been the theme of this section from chapter 5 (5:21 scribe; 7:20 John; 7:49 those at table; 8:25 disciples; 9:9 Herod) and will culminate in chapter 9 with Herod’s question. With this questioning the disciples are showing their not yet in the group that fully comprehends who Jesus is!
8:26- 39 – More Powerful than Demons!
This man is homeless (like Jesus), and doesn’t have any extra clothes. This story assumes an understanding of Jewish piety. Pigs were unclean, tombs were unclean, demons roamed in the desolate places, the wilderness. After crossing the lake Jesus is met by this man possessed, and the demon knows who Jesus is, knows Jesus power over him, and basically grovels before Jesus, even as Jesus is commanding the demon to come out. Knowing the names of demons give one control over the demon, and the demon cannot resist when Jesus asks straight out, though a commentator noted that the name given may be a form of trick, because there were many demons not just one, but it doesn’t matter, Jesus still obviously has control over them. The name Legion is given. This is also the name of a Roman company of soldiers. A Roman Legion was 5-6,000 men. Is this another attempt to show the power of God’s kingdom over Caesar?? Is Jesus more powerful than a Roman Legion??
The demon’s beg Jesus not to be sent to the abyss, which is the place where evil spirits are imprisoned. Jesus allows the demons to do what they suggest, entering the swine, but then the swine do something unusual by running into the lake drowning themselves.
The pigs running into the water may be an indication of the burden the man had been carrying with those demons. If pigs run and kill themselves with these demons, this man was carrying a heavy burden!! Evil always wants to do what it wants, and when it gets its way it is usually self-destructive. The man who was possessed is now sane, clothed and sitting at the feet of Jesus, taking his place among those who humble themselves before Jesus, and ultimately serve him.
When the people came out and saw what had happened they were filled with fear, and this fear caused “all the people” to tell Jesus to leave them. The man who was healed wants to go with Jesus, but Jesus doesn’t allow this and instead leaves the man to be a witness, and to continue to tell people the story of God’s power at work in healing him.
This story shows God’s power over the evil spirits that ail us. Today the sicknesses that we may associate with evil spirits are depression and other “mental” illnesses for which we do not have a rational explanation for, but still are very real in people’s lives. This story lends a word of hope that God’s power is greater than any of these problems in our lives, and our calling is then to proclaim “how much God has done for us.” In order for us to do this proclaiming we need to recognize how much God has delivered us!! The struggle is at those times when it doesn’t appear as if God is delivering us from these ailments!!
8:40-56 – More Powerful than Sickness and even Death!
Jesus returns and the crowds welcome him in, waiting for him. A leader in the synagogue approaches, in humility (the key to understanding who Jesus is, and the power that is possible from Him!) begs Jesus to come heal his “only” daughter. This links with Jesus’ earlier raising from the dead the “only” son of a mother. However, at this point in the story the girl is still alive, but dying.
As Jesus moves towards this dying girl (which might be considered an emergency) the crowds are pressing him, probably wanting him to do the things he has been doing for them. An unclean woman approaches. This would have been against all regulations. Unclean people are to keep away from others, and they are to shout out UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN so others would not go near them. This woman is obviously keeping her problem a secret, and she moves into the crowd because she knows Jesus has the power to heal her. She has been suffering for a long time, doctors are baffled, she is at the end of her rope, and so she reaches out for the end of Jesus garments (fringe). This faith in Jesus’ power is shown by her risking everything to reach Jesus, and she doesn’t even need to speak to Him, just touching his cloak.
This woman is an interruption to our story ( a story within a story ) and it places our original story in great suspense. Jesus is rushing to the bedside of a little girl, who is the little girl of the LEADER of the synagogue (an important Jewish leader, who also appears to be very faithful, aka his humility before Jesus). What is going to happen to the little girl, is Jesus going to be too late now that he had to stop and talk to this “intruder” woman??
In the previous story we have Jesus coming into contact with the UNCLEAN, and not bothered by it at all. In this story he does the same. The woman with the hemorrhage is unclean. A dead girl is unclean, but Jesus can transcend this, and makes clean rather than becoming infected himself.
When we bring Jesus with us we can reach out to others in ways that otherwise we wouldn’t be able to. This can give us a sense of confidence, not in ourselves, but in God’s presence with us. When we are doing something uncomfortable it is good to call upon the Lord to help us reach out!! Jesus doesn’t have the hangups we do. Jesus can and will reach out through us!!
As Jesus stops and asks to see the person who touched him, Peter seems to think his question is rather silly (though Luke softens this from Mark). Peter might be thinking, “Look around, who isn’t touching you???” However, this touch is a special touch. It is the touch of someone in need. It is the touch of someone suffering. It is the touch of someone who is humble. It is the touch of someone with faith. And that faith caused the Power of God to flow out of Jesus. This is an amazing point. Jesus didn’t cause the power to flow, it was the faith, the reaching out to Jesus, the touch of the humble that caused Gods power to flow freely.
As Jesus is talking with this woman we hear that his delay has some terrible consequences. Jesus didn’t make it in time; the girl has died. Jesus, however, will turn this into an opportunity to show what kind of power he really has. You think curing this woman was something, or the demoniac, or the storm?? You are going to see real power here (again). ONLY BELIEVE!!
Jesus goes to the girl, chastises the crowd for weeping over this dead little girl (who really is dead, even though Jesus says she isn’t). This raises some questions about death for us. Does Jesus see death differently than we do?? Does Jesus see death as a “sleeping” until we are raised again, as in this case?? Is it not the thing to be feared as we do?? Does Jesus recognize death as a temporary condition, whereas we see it as very permanent?? This may very well prove to be a wonderful viewpoint of what will happen in our resurrection. We die, and then we hear Jesus’ voice, “I say to you rise!!
The story makes sure to tell us that this little girl really is dead, and that Jesus really does bring the power of God to this place, and returns her spirit to her. The fact that Jesus has them bring her something to eat underscores that she has been raised to life, and is not just a spirit/ghost. Jesus does this same thing after His resurrection to show that he isn’t just an apparition (irish-banshee), but really alive, flesh and blood (though the resurrection body is still different than ours, but also the same).
Monday, February 8, 2010
Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 7
We have learned that the foundation that needs to be built in our lives is one that will withstand the storms of life. The Word of God is that foundation, Jesus is that foundation, and his calling to give, forgive, and love are the keys to that foundation, and keep that foundation cleaved to the rock.
7:1-10 – Healing of the Centurion’s Servant
The transition here is that after Jesus had finished speaking he moves into Capernaum (gentile territory). What did Jesus do earlier in Capernaum? This Centurion has a slave whom he seems to care for and he has heard the stories about Jesus, very possibly from Jesus’ earlier foray into Capernaum. He sends a contingent of people to help pave the way for Jesus to want to help. This group appeals to Jesus with the fact that this soldier has been very helpful to Jesus’ people. He has even built the synagogue for us. Here we may have the idea that this first group owes the Centurion something, and may feel some compunction to do this for the Centurion. However, never does Jesus react as if this is anything other than an honorable request on the part of all parties involved.
Jesus now is given the opportunity to put into practice what he has just taught, and he again will go further. The Centurion is a Roman soldier, the occupying force of Palestine. We have two strong forces at work here. First, we have the Roman Empire and their claim to being all powerful. Second, we have Jesus and his claim that the Kingdom of God is all powerful. How each is lived out is totally different however. The above chapter outlined how God’s power is made evident: Healing; Giving away, forgiving, loving others especially enemies. The Roman’s power is made evident by taking over countries; oppressing the people if they don’t do what you tell them. The Centurion makes this clear in his statement that he is a man under authority who is also in authority. This is the world of the Roman Empire someone in authority tells you to jump, you jump! It is clear that this Centurion believes Jesus has the authority to heal.
The Centurion’s respect for Jesus and his faith is shown by him sending the second delegation. Jesus seems fully ready willing and able to come to the man’s house, but it would certainly put him in hot water again with the authorities. Jesus never seems to care, but the Centurion understands the political forces at work. This second group, friends, tells Jesus that he doesn’t have to make the trek, his word will be enough. “I am not worth to have you come under my roof…Only speak the word, and let my servant be healed.” In this statement there is humility, faith in Jesus’ abilities, understanding of the power of the WORD of someone in authority. When you have real authority saying the WORD is all that is needed!!
This isn’t a healing story really. This is a story about much more. Faith is found in other places not just in those who are a part of the disciples, the people of God, or those on the inside. This man’s faith far exceeded anything Jesus has experienced. The story never even says Jesus healed the servant. In fact, it seems as though the humility and the belief in Jesus’ power is enough to effect the healing. The humility may go as far as to know Jesus has the power, but also he needs to have the desire (the will) to do so. The appeal to Jesus was to ask for Jesus to turn his heart toward this servant for the healing. The appeal is so humble that Jesus is actually “amazed,” this is the first and only time this happens!!
But it is important to note that at the end Jesus doesn’t end up playing into the games of owing each other something. In our world when someone does something for us we typically feel indebted to them, and feel compelled that we must return the favor one day. This is played out even further by others holding those things over our heads. The sending of the first group could be interpreted like that, though the story doesn’t carry that concept forward. Jesus, however, doesn’t require anything of the Centurion after the healing, he just moves on.
7:11-17 – The Raising of the Widow’s Son
We have just witnessed the power of Jesus’ word to heal over a distance. Now Jesus word is so powerful not only can it heal over a long distance, but Jesus’ Word can reach into the depths of the place of the dead (gehena) and raise someone from the dead. You thought that after the last story Jesus was powerful, and had authority from God. In this story for the first time the narrator (Luke) calls Jesus, “the Lord.” We learned from the last story that Jesus has authority, and now you can see the extent of Jesus’ authority!! This is the beginning of Jesus reaching into the depths of the place of the dead.
In the literary playing out of this story we have two processions that meet. In Jesus’ procession he is leading the crowd and his disciples. In the other procession leading the way is the dead man, followed by his mother, and the mourners. One is a procession of life, the other a procession of death. Jesus has compassion for those in the procession of death, and he changes their circumstances. Not too different than when he touched the leper and healed him, changing his condition. Coming in contact with Jesus (or even just Jesus’ word) is to have yourself healed, transformed, and possibly a new life given to you!
This is a story that truly depicts Jesus as Elijah, which ultimately is the statement from the crowd after the healing. So far we have heard of Elijah in Chapter 1 where Elijah’s spirit is going before John the Baptist. Then chapter 4 Jesus uses Elijah’s healing of a widow to show that God cares for the outsiders. Its very possible that there was a debate in the early church between John’s disciples and Jesus’ disciples about which one was the one. Luke is trying to clarify that debate, and he will do so more clearly in the next part.
7:18-35 – The John / Jesus Debate
In this story it is clear that John’s disciples have been scouting out about Jesus. They are following him, seeing what he is doing and now they report back to John. John is upfront and sends two directly to Jesus to ask the question. Luke reports that they are sent to “the Lord.” Luke knows who Jesus is, we know who Jesus is, and it is going to be plainly obvious to John once his disciples return with the reports about what Jesus is doing. It is almost comical the way this is set up. Jesus has just finished doing everything that has been previously prophesied about him by the various prophets in Luke’s story. John’s question makes us go back to Jesus’ baptism, and be reminded that John was put in prison right before Luke tells us of Jesus’ baptism. Was John not there, and so John didn’t see the dove descend, and didn’t hear the voice from heaven. Jesus responds with six prophetic activities that he has been involved in.
John’s question could be because Jesus is not what he was expecting. John preached fire and brimstone. John was passionate about fasting, humility, repentance, etc. The Pharisees complain that Jesus disciples aren’t like John’s disciples. It seems as if John and Jesus are not on the same team really, yet they are. The last blessing Jesus announces is on those who don’t take offense at Jesus. Yet, the Pharisees and scribes are taking offense, and anyone throughout this Gospel who doesn’t like outsiders, who doesn’t like sinners treated like the righteous ones, who doesn’t think its fair that sinners are treated like sons/daughters. There is a lot for us to take offense at in Luke’s Jesus, and we frequently do!! Where do we take offense at what Jesus does??
7:24-35 – Explanation of John the Baptist to Jesus’ disciples
At this point Jesus speaks to his followers about who John the Baptist is. Luke here may be trying to smooth over the relationships between the disciples of John the Baptist, and the disciples of Jesus. We can hear in the background the same problem Paul discovered in Corinth when the disciples of each of the apostles were arguing, and boasting of who they were following. “What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” (1 Cor 1:12) Jesus begins by asking three questions, which each successively have inadequate answers, and the inadequacy heightens, even as the answers move toward the affirmative. He seems to be talking with the crowds who went out to see John in the wilderness, but these have left following John, and are following Jesus now. Jesus is basically lifting up their viewpoint of John. Jesus doesn’t want animosity among the disciples. He points out no one is greater than John in this world.
The three questions kind of pose different things we human beings are interested in following. First, a reed shaken by the wind, think of politicians who change their viewpoints based on the prevailing viewpoints in the crowds. This obviously is not John the Baptist. Second, we are frequently hung up on following the powerful, the wealthy, for no other reason than their power and wealth not having anything to do with what they stand for. Third, people do actually follow prophets, but this is even a poor descriptor of John the Baptist. John is much more!! Jesus even is including himself in his praise of John. Jesus is one born of a woman. “Jesus is not too proud to take his place at the feet of God’s greatest prophet.” (Vinson, p. 227). John has done his job with perfect devotion, and has prepared the way remarkably well. The blessing Jesus gave earlier to John was not just that no one take offense, but that no one “stumble” over Jesus. Meaning that John could continue to do what his calling was. He was doing a good job!!
The last two verses describe how those who were Baptized by John are moving from begin John’s disciples to being Jesus’ disciples which according to Jesus here is the natural progression, and is actually what John’s baptism was preparing them for, but the Pharisees and lawyers are rejecting God, by rejecting John & Jesus.
Jesus then goes off on a tangent to describe humanity’s problems in wanting leaders to do our bidding. Neither John nor Jesus are going to do what is expected of them. They seem contradictory but they are not. One is preparing the world for the other. We, however, seem to complain about both, which is contradictory. John & Jesus are on the same team, and following means accepting both.
Luke 7:36-50 – Responses to Jesus – (Very Important Story)
Jesus not only eats with sinners and tax collectors but here we see Jesus eating with Pharisees. Indeed, the Lukan Jesus love to eat, and loves banquets!! Prior to this story we know Jesus is a prophet and more than a prophet. Luke has started calling him LORD, so the Pharisees question of Jesus is obviously in the negative. Jesus is a prophet, he knows exactly who is touching him, and taking care of him, and it isn’t Simon (who should have been doing so, since we are in Simon’s house). Jesus also knows who Simon is!!
The parable Jesus uses lifts up the fact that when we realize we are forgiven much, we tend to love much. When we don’t realize we are forgiven much, we tend not to love too much. The example of the woman here shows that she recognizes how much God has forgiven her, and she is showing love to Jesus because of this gift to her. The Pharisee has not had that realization yet, and so is still judging and condemning. Our challenge is to make sure we are not blind to our own need for forgiveness the way the Pharisee seems to be.
Faith in this instance is sheer humility and an acknowledgement that we have great sins which we bring to the cross of Christ, and as we love greatly such sins will be forgiven. A question for ourselves is how often are we scandalized by the forgiveness Jesus offers to others? When we are scandalized by this, we are not humbling ourselves to realize just how much our own sins have cost Jesus!
7:1-10 – Healing of the Centurion’s Servant
The transition here is that after Jesus had finished speaking he moves into Capernaum (gentile territory). What did Jesus do earlier in Capernaum? This Centurion has a slave whom he seems to care for and he has heard the stories about Jesus, very possibly from Jesus’ earlier foray into Capernaum. He sends a contingent of people to help pave the way for Jesus to want to help. This group appeals to Jesus with the fact that this soldier has been very helpful to Jesus’ people. He has even built the synagogue for us. Here we may have the idea that this first group owes the Centurion something, and may feel some compunction to do this for the Centurion. However, never does Jesus react as if this is anything other than an honorable request on the part of all parties involved.
Jesus now is given the opportunity to put into practice what he has just taught, and he again will go further. The Centurion is a Roman soldier, the occupying force of Palestine. We have two strong forces at work here. First, we have the Roman Empire and their claim to being all powerful. Second, we have Jesus and his claim that the Kingdom of God is all powerful. How each is lived out is totally different however. The above chapter outlined how God’s power is made evident: Healing; Giving away, forgiving, loving others especially enemies. The Roman’s power is made evident by taking over countries; oppressing the people if they don’t do what you tell them. The Centurion makes this clear in his statement that he is a man under authority who is also in authority. This is the world of the Roman Empire someone in authority tells you to jump, you jump! It is clear that this Centurion believes Jesus has the authority to heal.
The Centurion’s respect for Jesus and his faith is shown by him sending the second delegation. Jesus seems fully ready willing and able to come to the man’s house, but it would certainly put him in hot water again with the authorities. Jesus never seems to care, but the Centurion understands the political forces at work. This second group, friends, tells Jesus that he doesn’t have to make the trek, his word will be enough. “I am not worth to have you come under my roof…Only speak the word, and let my servant be healed.” In this statement there is humility, faith in Jesus’ abilities, understanding of the power of the WORD of someone in authority. When you have real authority saying the WORD is all that is needed!!
This isn’t a healing story really. This is a story about much more. Faith is found in other places not just in those who are a part of the disciples, the people of God, or those on the inside. This man’s faith far exceeded anything Jesus has experienced. The story never even says Jesus healed the servant. In fact, it seems as though the humility and the belief in Jesus’ power is enough to effect the healing. The humility may go as far as to know Jesus has the power, but also he needs to have the desire (the will) to do so. The appeal to Jesus was to ask for Jesus to turn his heart toward this servant for the healing. The appeal is so humble that Jesus is actually “amazed,” this is the first and only time this happens!!
But it is important to note that at the end Jesus doesn’t end up playing into the games of owing each other something. In our world when someone does something for us we typically feel indebted to them, and feel compelled that we must return the favor one day. This is played out even further by others holding those things over our heads. The sending of the first group could be interpreted like that, though the story doesn’t carry that concept forward. Jesus, however, doesn’t require anything of the Centurion after the healing, he just moves on.
7:11-17 – The Raising of the Widow’s Son
We have just witnessed the power of Jesus’ word to heal over a distance. Now Jesus word is so powerful not only can it heal over a long distance, but Jesus’ Word can reach into the depths of the place of the dead (gehena) and raise someone from the dead. You thought that after the last story Jesus was powerful, and had authority from God. In this story for the first time the narrator (Luke) calls Jesus, “the Lord.” We learned from the last story that Jesus has authority, and now you can see the extent of Jesus’ authority!! This is the beginning of Jesus reaching into the depths of the place of the dead.
In the literary playing out of this story we have two processions that meet. In Jesus’ procession he is leading the crowd and his disciples. In the other procession leading the way is the dead man, followed by his mother, and the mourners. One is a procession of life, the other a procession of death. Jesus has compassion for those in the procession of death, and he changes their circumstances. Not too different than when he touched the leper and healed him, changing his condition. Coming in contact with Jesus (or even just Jesus’ word) is to have yourself healed, transformed, and possibly a new life given to you!
This is a story that truly depicts Jesus as Elijah, which ultimately is the statement from the crowd after the healing. So far we have heard of Elijah in Chapter 1 where Elijah’s spirit is going before John the Baptist. Then chapter 4 Jesus uses Elijah’s healing of a widow to show that God cares for the outsiders. Its very possible that there was a debate in the early church between John’s disciples and Jesus’ disciples about which one was the one. Luke is trying to clarify that debate, and he will do so more clearly in the next part.
7:18-35 – The John / Jesus Debate
In this story it is clear that John’s disciples have been scouting out about Jesus. They are following him, seeing what he is doing and now they report back to John. John is upfront and sends two directly to Jesus to ask the question. Luke reports that they are sent to “the Lord.” Luke knows who Jesus is, we know who Jesus is, and it is going to be plainly obvious to John once his disciples return with the reports about what Jesus is doing. It is almost comical the way this is set up. Jesus has just finished doing everything that has been previously prophesied about him by the various prophets in Luke’s story. John’s question makes us go back to Jesus’ baptism, and be reminded that John was put in prison right before Luke tells us of Jesus’ baptism. Was John not there, and so John didn’t see the dove descend, and didn’t hear the voice from heaven. Jesus responds with six prophetic activities that he has been involved in.
John’s question could be because Jesus is not what he was expecting. John preached fire and brimstone. John was passionate about fasting, humility, repentance, etc. The Pharisees complain that Jesus disciples aren’t like John’s disciples. It seems as if John and Jesus are not on the same team really, yet they are. The last blessing Jesus announces is on those who don’t take offense at Jesus. Yet, the Pharisees and scribes are taking offense, and anyone throughout this Gospel who doesn’t like outsiders, who doesn’t like sinners treated like the righteous ones, who doesn’t think its fair that sinners are treated like sons/daughters. There is a lot for us to take offense at in Luke’s Jesus, and we frequently do!! Where do we take offense at what Jesus does??
7:24-35 – Explanation of John the Baptist to Jesus’ disciples
At this point Jesus speaks to his followers about who John the Baptist is. Luke here may be trying to smooth over the relationships between the disciples of John the Baptist, and the disciples of Jesus. We can hear in the background the same problem Paul discovered in Corinth when the disciples of each of the apostles were arguing, and boasting of who they were following. “What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” (1 Cor 1:12) Jesus begins by asking three questions, which each successively have inadequate answers, and the inadequacy heightens, even as the answers move toward the affirmative. He seems to be talking with the crowds who went out to see John in the wilderness, but these have left following John, and are following Jesus now. Jesus is basically lifting up their viewpoint of John. Jesus doesn’t want animosity among the disciples. He points out no one is greater than John in this world.
The three questions kind of pose different things we human beings are interested in following. First, a reed shaken by the wind, think of politicians who change their viewpoints based on the prevailing viewpoints in the crowds. This obviously is not John the Baptist. Second, we are frequently hung up on following the powerful, the wealthy, for no other reason than their power and wealth not having anything to do with what they stand for. Third, people do actually follow prophets, but this is even a poor descriptor of John the Baptist. John is much more!! Jesus even is including himself in his praise of John. Jesus is one born of a woman. “Jesus is not too proud to take his place at the feet of God’s greatest prophet.” (Vinson, p. 227). John has done his job with perfect devotion, and has prepared the way remarkably well. The blessing Jesus gave earlier to John was not just that no one take offense, but that no one “stumble” over Jesus. Meaning that John could continue to do what his calling was. He was doing a good job!!
The last two verses describe how those who were Baptized by John are moving from begin John’s disciples to being Jesus’ disciples which according to Jesus here is the natural progression, and is actually what John’s baptism was preparing them for, but the Pharisees and lawyers are rejecting God, by rejecting John & Jesus.
Jesus then goes off on a tangent to describe humanity’s problems in wanting leaders to do our bidding. Neither John nor Jesus are going to do what is expected of them. They seem contradictory but they are not. One is preparing the world for the other. We, however, seem to complain about both, which is contradictory. John & Jesus are on the same team, and following means accepting both.
Luke 7:36-50 – Responses to Jesus – (Very Important Story)
Jesus not only eats with sinners and tax collectors but here we see Jesus eating with Pharisees. Indeed, the Lukan Jesus love to eat, and loves banquets!! Prior to this story we know Jesus is a prophet and more than a prophet. Luke has started calling him LORD, so the Pharisees question of Jesus is obviously in the negative. Jesus is a prophet, he knows exactly who is touching him, and taking care of him, and it isn’t Simon (who should have been doing so, since we are in Simon’s house). Jesus also knows who Simon is!!
The parable Jesus uses lifts up the fact that when we realize we are forgiven much, we tend to love much. When we don’t realize we are forgiven much, we tend not to love too much. The example of the woman here shows that she recognizes how much God has forgiven her, and she is showing love to Jesus because of this gift to her. The Pharisee has not had that realization yet, and so is still judging and condemning. Our challenge is to make sure we are not blind to our own need for forgiveness the way the Pharisee seems to be.
Faith in this instance is sheer humility and an acknowledgement that we have great sins which we bring to the cross of Christ, and as we love greatly such sins will be forgiven. A question for ourselves is how often are we scandalized by the forgiveness Jesus offers to others? When we are scandalized by this, we are not humbling ourselves to realize just how much our own sins have cost Jesus!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Gospel of Luke Study – Chapter 6 (Part 2)
6:27-35 – Love your enemies
We know now that God has a great concern for the poor, for the hungry, for those in need; and a warning for all who are receiving their salvation banquet in this life already, while others go without. Followers of Jesus take care of the poor. Now Jesus continues to teach and beginning off he is teaching to those who will “listen.” Obviously after the Blessings and Woes section there are some who have turned Jesus OFF, and are not listening!
After taking care of the poor and needy, the followers of Jesus are to LOVE their ENEMIES. Then Jesus outlines what that would look like with four ways of putting this into practice. Each of these ways of practicing seems a bit outlandish if we were to actually put these into practice. The first couple are possible, though most of us are not to keen on actually blessing those who hate us, and we would grudgingly pray for someone who is abusing us. On 9/11 the Christian community in the United States was really taxed on this account, and we still are as we fight in Iraq, and Afghanistan. Jesus goes even further than just asking us to move from a place where we are grudgingly prayer for enemies. Next we are to be strong enough not only to not fight back when someone attacks us, but we are called to willingly take the abuse, and to give more opportunity for such (turning the cheek). Turning the cheek doesn’t mean here to forgive, but to provide an easy opportunity to be injured to the other person who is doing the offending. On the face of this it may seem as though this is a bit of reverse psychology, and possibly this may work, however, we know the end of this story and as Jesus did turn the other cheek he was killed. Of course it changed the course of human history, and that is Jesus’ point. Jesus wants us to be willing to change human history; sadly for us it could possibly mean death. The striking of the cheek was an expression of insult, and the turning of the cheek breaks that violence that could occur (ie. Watch a hockey game as to what happens when someone strikes the cheek!). There are few of us willing to allow ourselves to be subjected to such things. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Gandhi come to mind as a few who actually have, of course along with Jesus.
For the person stealing from us, we are called to give them more than they are stealing, and to not call it stealing!! Here is another place where Jesus words are immeasurably more challenging to us than we are comfortable with usually. Jesus does not want us to press charges against the other person, but actually it seems he wants us to practice forgiveness on the spot, and then to offer more than the person could have imagined, sounds like GRACE. Someone wants your coat; give them your whole outfit. Give to everyone who begs from you. And finally we have the “golden rule,” “do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Consider what the world would be like if we actually practiced the words in these few verses? What would it look like? What kinds of things in our society would disappear? What are the possibilities?
Jesus is calling upon his disciples to be different than the society around them. Sinners like those who like them, are good to those who are good to them, lend to those who can pay them back. Duh, the system of business and capitalism is built upon these things. They are not necessarily Christian, however. Jesus calls us to be different. Luke presents these in a way that makes Jesus assume that those who are still listening want to be better than those “sinners.” To see the irony in this statement you have to remember how Jesus has treated “those sinners?” He has eaten with them, & invites them to be disciples. Jesus doesn’t really want us to have an US/THEM mentality. He wants us to stop this kind of thinking and acting. The US/THEM mentality is designed to keep hate and violence going. Jesus basically takes what is the common piety among “good folk;” take care of family, take care of friends, take care of your community; charity begins at home; etc; and Jesus says we are called to do much more. This kind of piety is actually nothing! Jesus is going to show us what much more really is.
The differences lie in Loving our enemies, doing good (which translated here means going out of our way for the people we don’t like, and who don’t like us!!), and we are called to lend without any expectation of repayment (this one strikes at the heart of our business and capitalistic establishment, and if practiced would have prevented the depressions/recessions we have experienced). I say this being an Accounting major with an Economics minor!
There is a reward from Jesus for our following these instructions, and that is that we will “children of the most high.” Ultimately this is the way God behaves with us, and all the people of the world, and thus we would be following in His footsteps to lives as God lives with us. This is the nature of LOVE!
“the character of God dictates that we practice a love that is not limited by others’ responses to us,” (Culpepper, New Interpreters Bible, p. 147) Nor are we limited to acting only for those who act and behave in upright ways. We are given free reign to BE LOVING TO EVERYONE, just like God!! How often do we allow ourselves that kind of freedom?? What would that look like even on a small scale?
Jesus seems to be breaking the cycle of hate with these teachings, and to instruct us that in dealing with those who do not like, or even hate, our actions can actually help to change our feelings. Jesus never says to change our feelings, but to act toward those who are our enemies as if they were our friends. The cycle of violence can change, the cycle of hate can change, the cycle of retaliation and vengeance can change. Jesus says to change it you just stop practicing it! Instead practice LOVE and love will grow.
6:36-38 – Be Merciful, as God is Merciful
We are to imitate God in the way we relate to others. Jesus does suggest that Judgment is something reserved for God. In essence we are to even go beyond the “golden rule” here because Jesus is telling us to treat others the way we want God to treat us!! Don’t judge, don’t condemn --- because if you do you will be judged and condemned!! Instead, forgive and give, you will be forgiven and you will receive from the hand of God. Remember how the healings occurred. Jesus tells the person to stand, to put out your hand, and as they obeyed they were healed. Could this be the way forgiveness happens, as we practice forgiveness towards others forgiveness happens to us?
God will give to us the way an extremely generous person would. The measuring cup is first filled up, then pressed down to create room for more, then shaken to create room for more, then filled up to to the point of running over the brim. This is how we wish to receive from God, so therefore we are called to give our LOVE this extravagantly!! Just as someone in the marketplace may request that the seller use the buyer’s measure so that the buyer is not cheated, here Jesus says God will use the same measure we use towards others, with us. We get what we give.
“With what measure you measure it shall be measured back to you.” - Greek equivalent (Vinson, p.190).
Through these sections being linked together we get the impression that Luke is telling us that, “Oppression of the poor, materialism, and the presumption that problems can be settled by violence and force are all related. (Culpepper, p. 149). Jesus is providing a different answer to each of these.
6:39-42 – Teaching & Learning
The continuation here is a series of four parables to expand on the earlier section of being a disciple, and what it means, what it entails, and how we should go about it.
The first parable suggests the leader must be able to see ahead to be able to lead. If the leader can’t see ahead it isn’t going to work, and the leader must also be better qualified, have grown closer to the teachings of the teacher. It is not possible for us to become better than “the teacher” (Jesus), but the goal of discipleship is the base our lives upon Jesus’ life and teaching and to become “like” Jesus (not Mike). The leader must be more learned, closer to Jesus’ life and teaching than the student.
Next is the graphic description of what human beings typically do. We really enjoy pointing out other people’s faults, and problems. This parable connects to the earlier injunction about not judging others! We, all too often, spend our time telling others they should be better, when we ourselves are grossly hypocritical (log in our eye). The disciple of Jesus must be sincerely humble, aware of their own faults, their own failures, their own struggles, and only when truly working on yourself should be even dare suggest to someone else that they have a speck that they may want to work on! The disciple is ultimately deferential. This is the reason why support groups really only work with people who have struggled with the similar problem. Weight loss groups only work when the people in them recognize their struggles with weight and are truly humble and respectful towards those struggling with the very same issues. All other support groups work the same, Divorce, Grief, Alcoholics Anonymous, etc. The key to these groups is respect for people, respect for the struggles real human beings have, and a willingness to admit we fail and fail frequently.
6:43-49 – Walk the Talk – One is what One does
Jesus then further expands upon the job of faith work in discipleship. It doesn’t just involve removing those “logs,” but a transformation of the heart so that what we produce with our lives is the stuff of God, not ourselves. What we do and who we are are inseparably linked together. As a sinner we produce sin, as a transformed person by the grace of God we produce love, grace, peace. Ultimately this is the life of a disciple that our lives be transformed into a Christ-like life. In that Christ-like life there will be sacrifice for the sake of others.
Finally, Jesus suggests that discipleship really is the wise thing to do. He uses the building of a house with/without a foundation, and suggests to us which is wiser, which is better, which will withstand the storms of life? Obviously we all know which is better, wiser. In the wake of the earthquake in Haiti we need to realize that Jesus is not making a value judgment on the lives of those who build inadequate housing that crumble, but rather which is the wiser way of constructing a building. It is obvious from Haiti that a strong building, properly constructed is best, safest, etc. And for Jesus the same is true of the building of our lives. We need a good foundation, and Jesus is the foundation that we need! None of us will be able to choose what storms of life will come our way, but here Jesus is suggesting that whatever the storm we will need a good foundation for our lives, so we will not be lost in those storms. This too is evident in the survivors of Haiti, and those who are clinging to God, and the comfort and hope God is providing.
Just saying Jesus is Lord is not enough here. Our lives need to be transformed with this good foundation. We need to build on this foundation. Without it our words are empty and our actions will not produce the fruit that would be produced coming from the roots of a foundation in Jesus (mixing my metaphors here). Hearing Jesus and acting upon what we hear is important. They really go together. Hearing without doing is not helpful. It may be possible that doing without hearing may be helpful, and may draw someone into hearing.Ultimately discipleship requires a strong foundation which can help us to weather life and produce godly fruit and lead others with an immense sense of humility, love, and care. Jesus turns all the conventional wisdom on its head through the Sermon on the Plain, and calls his disciples to learn something different.
We know now that God has a great concern for the poor, for the hungry, for those in need; and a warning for all who are receiving their salvation banquet in this life already, while others go without. Followers of Jesus take care of the poor. Now Jesus continues to teach and beginning off he is teaching to those who will “listen.” Obviously after the Blessings and Woes section there are some who have turned Jesus OFF, and are not listening!
After taking care of the poor and needy, the followers of Jesus are to LOVE their ENEMIES. Then Jesus outlines what that would look like with four ways of putting this into practice. Each of these ways of practicing seems a bit outlandish if we were to actually put these into practice. The first couple are possible, though most of us are not to keen on actually blessing those who hate us, and we would grudgingly pray for someone who is abusing us. On 9/11 the Christian community in the United States was really taxed on this account, and we still are as we fight in Iraq, and Afghanistan. Jesus goes even further than just asking us to move from a place where we are grudgingly prayer for enemies. Next we are to be strong enough not only to not fight back when someone attacks us, but we are called to willingly take the abuse, and to give more opportunity for such (turning the cheek). Turning the cheek doesn’t mean here to forgive, but to provide an easy opportunity to be injured to the other person who is doing the offending. On the face of this it may seem as though this is a bit of reverse psychology, and possibly this may work, however, we know the end of this story and as Jesus did turn the other cheek he was killed. Of course it changed the course of human history, and that is Jesus’ point. Jesus wants us to be willing to change human history; sadly for us it could possibly mean death. The striking of the cheek was an expression of insult, and the turning of the cheek breaks that violence that could occur (ie. Watch a hockey game as to what happens when someone strikes the cheek!). There are few of us willing to allow ourselves to be subjected to such things. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Gandhi come to mind as a few who actually have, of course along with Jesus.
For the person stealing from us, we are called to give them more than they are stealing, and to not call it stealing!! Here is another place where Jesus words are immeasurably more challenging to us than we are comfortable with usually. Jesus does not want us to press charges against the other person, but actually it seems he wants us to practice forgiveness on the spot, and then to offer more than the person could have imagined, sounds like GRACE. Someone wants your coat; give them your whole outfit. Give to everyone who begs from you. And finally we have the “golden rule,” “do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Consider what the world would be like if we actually practiced the words in these few verses? What would it look like? What kinds of things in our society would disappear? What are the possibilities?
Jesus is calling upon his disciples to be different than the society around them. Sinners like those who like them, are good to those who are good to them, lend to those who can pay them back. Duh, the system of business and capitalism is built upon these things. They are not necessarily Christian, however. Jesus calls us to be different. Luke presents these in a way that makes Jesus assume that those who are still listening want to be better than those “sinners.” To see the irony in this statement you have to remember how Jesus has treated “those sinners?” He has eaten with them, & invites them to be disciples. Jesus doesn’t really want us to have an US/THEM mentality. He wants us to stop this kind of thinking and acting. The US/THEM mentality is designed to keep hate and violence going. Jesus basically takes what is the common piety among “good folk;” take care of family, take care of friends, take care of your community; charity begins at home; etc; and Jesus says we are called to do much more. This kind of piety is actually nothing! Jesus is going to show us what much more really is.
The differences lie in Loving our enemies, doing good (which translated here means going out of our way for the people we don’t like, and who don’t like us!!), and we are called to lend without any expectation of repayment (this one strikes at the heart of our business and capitalistic establishment, and if practiced would have prevented the depressions/recessions we have experienced). I say this being an Accounting major with an Economics minor!
There is a reward from Jesus for our following these instructions, and that is that we will “children of the most high.” Ultimately this is the way God behaves with us, and all the people of the world, and thus we would be following in His footsteps to lives as God lives with us. This is the nature of LOVE!
“the character of God dictates that we practice a love that is not limited by others’ responses to us,” (Culpepper, New Interpreters Bible, p. 147) Nor are we limited to acting only for those who act and behave in upright ways. We are given free reign to BE LOVING TO EVERYONE, just like God!! How often do we allow ourselves that kind of freedom?? What would that look like even on a small scale?
Jesus seems to be breaking the cycle of hate with these teachings, and to instruct us that in dealing with those who do not like, or even hate, our actions can actually help to change our feelings. Jesus never says to change our feelings, but to act toward those who are our enemies as if they were our friends. The cycle of violence can change, the cycle of hate can change, the cycle of retaliation and vengeance can change. Jesus says to change it you just stop practicing it! Instead practice LOVE and love will grow.
6:36-38 – Be Merciful, as God is Merciful
We are to imitate God in the way we relate to others. Jesus does suggest that Judgment is something reserved for God. In essence we are to even go beyond the “golden rule” here because Jesus is telling us to treat others the way we want God to treat us!! Don’t judge, don’t condemn --- because if you do you will be judged and condemned!! Instead, forgive and give, you will be forgiven and you will receive from the hand of God. Remember how the healings occurred. Jesus tells the person to stand, to put out your hand, and as they obeyed they were healed. Could this be the way forgiveness happens, as we practice forgiveness towards others forgiveness happens to us?
God will give to us the way an extremely generous person would. The measuring cup is first filled up, then pressed down to create room for more, then shaken to create room for more, then filled up to to the point of running over the brim. This is how we wish to receive from God, so therefore we are called to give our LOVE this extravagantly!! Just as someone in the marketplace may request that the seller use the buyer’s measure so that the buyer is not cheated, here Jesus says God will use the same measure we use towards others, with us. We get what we give.
“With what measure you measure it shall be measured back to you.” - Greek equivalent (Vinson, p.190).
Through these sections being linked together we get the impression that Luke is telling us that, “Oppression of the poor, materialism, and the presumption that problems can be settled by violence and force are all related. (Culpepper, p. 149). Jesus is providing a different answer to each of these.
6:39-42 – Teaching & Learning
The continuation here is a series of four parables to expand on the earlier section of being a disciple, and what it means, what it entails, and how we should go about it.
The first parable suggests the leader must be able to see ahead to be able to lead. If the leader can’t see ahead it isn’t going to work, and the leader must also be better qualified, have grown closer to the teachings of the teacher. It is not possible for us to become better than “the teacher” (Jesus), but the goal of discipleship is the base our lives upon Jesus’ life and teaching and to become “like” Jesus (not Mike). The leader must be more learned, closer to Jesus’ life and teaching than the student.
Next is the graphic description of what human beings typically do. We really enjoy pointing out other people’s faults, and problems. This parable connects to the earlier injunction about not judging others! We, all too often, spend our time telling others they should be better, when we ourselves are grossly hypocritical (log in our eye). The disciple of Jesus must be sincerely humble, aware of their own faults, their own failures, their own struggles, and only when truly working on yourself should be even dare suggest to someone else that they have a speck that they may want to work on! The disciple is ultimately deferential. This is the reason why support groups really only work with people who have struggled with the similar problem. Weight loss groups only work when the people in them recognize their struggles with weight and are truly humble and respectful towards those struggling with the very same issues. All other support groups work the same, Divorce, Grief, Alcoholics Anonymous, etc. The key to these groups is respect for people, respect for the struggles real human beings have, and a willingness to admit we fail and fail frequently.
6:43-49 – Walk the Talk – One is what One does
Jesus then further expands upon the job of faith work in discipleship. It doesn’t just involve removing those “logs,” but a transformation of the heart so that what we produce with our lives is the stuff of God, not ourselves. What we do and who we are are inseparably linked together. As a sinner we produce sin, as a transformed person by the grace of God we produce love, grace, peace. Ultimately this is the life of a disciple that our lives be transformed into a Christ-like life. In that Christ-like life there will be sacrifice for the sake of others.
Finally, Jesus suggests that discipleship really is the wise thing to do. He uses the building of a house with/without a foundation, and suggests to us which is wiser, which is better, which will withstand the storms of life? Obviously we all know which is better, wiser. In the wake of the earthquake in Haiti we need to realize that Jesus is not making a value judgment on the lives of those who build inadequate housing that crumble, but rather which is the wiser way of constructing a building. It is obvious from Haiti that a strong building, properly constructed is best, safest, etc. And for Jesus the same is true of the building of our lives. We need a good foundation, and Jesus is the foundation that we need! None of us will be able to choose what storms of life will come our way, but here Jesus is suggesting that whatever the storm we will need a good foundation for our lives, so we will not be lost in those storms. This too is evident in the survivors of Haiti, and those who are clinging to God, and the comfort and hope God is providing.
Just saying Jesus is Lord is not enough here. Our lives need to be transformed with this good foundation. We need to build on this foundation. Without it our words are empty and our actions will not produce the fruit that would be produced coming from the roots of a foundation in Jesus (mixing my metaphors here). Hearing Jesus and acting upon what we hear is important. They really go together. Hearing without doing is not helpful. It may be possible that doing without hearing may be helpful, and may draw someone into hearing.Ultimately discipleship requires a strong foundation which can help us to weather life and produce godly fruit and lead others with an immense sense of humility, love, and care. Jesus turns all the conventional wisdom on its head through the Sermon on the Plain, and calls his disciples to learn something different.
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